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Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat (Nannothrissa stewarti) — Clupeidae

Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat

Nannothrissa stewarti
Family: Clupeidae
EN · Endangered

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat (Nannothrissa stewarti) is a freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; acidic lake water.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Stewart's dwarf sardine is a very small herring relative (Clupeidae) from Central Africa. The species is small and has a slender, silvery body. It is a lake-dwelling species that lives in acidic water and swims in schools in the open water column. It feeds on small zooplankton it filters from the water. It is a prey fish for larger fishes. Owing to a very limited range the species is considered endangered. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Very small, schooling dwarf sardine of acidic lake water; threatened by its restricted range.

Where does the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat live?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Africa; acidic lake water.

How big does the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat get?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat dangerous to humans?

No, the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat edible?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat verified
Scientific name
Nannothrissa stewarti
Family
Clupeidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Central Africa; acidic lake water. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, sifted from the water sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Very small, schooling dwarf sardine of acidic lake water; threatened by its restricted range. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Nannothrissa

More from the family Clupeidae

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