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Nile darter characin (Nannocharax niloticus) — Distichodontidae

Nile darter characin

Nannocharax niloticus

The Nile darter characin (Nannocharax niloticus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Nile darter characin is a small characin bottom-fish (Distichodontidae) from fresh water of the Nile and Chad basins in Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, elongate, yellow-brown body with a few dark crossbars and props itself on the bottom with its pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it lives in clear, flowing streams and eats small invertebrates, larvae and growth. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nile darter characin?

The Nile darter characin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Nile darter characin live?

The Nile darter characin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Nile darter characin get?

The Nile darter characin grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Nile darter characin dangerous to humans?

No, the Nile darter characin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nijl-dartertetra sourced
English name
Nile darter characin sourced
Scientific name
Nannocharax niloticus
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Nannocharax

More from the family Distichodontidae

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