Fin's Fish Guide
The Nile killifish (Micropanchax loati) is a freshwater fish of the family Procatopodidae that grows up to 4 cm.
Description
Loat's lampeye is a small egg-laying toothcarp of the lampeye family (Procatopodidae) from northeastern and eastern Africa. The species grows to only a few centimetres and has a slender, translucent body with a shiny, reflective eye, to which the name refers. It lives in small water bodies and shallow, weedy parts of larger water bodies, swamps, irrigation ditches, brooks and small rivers. It lives in schools and feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and mosquito larvae. The species is harmless to humans.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Nile killifish?
The Nile killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Glossy, reflective eye ('lampeye'); small schooling fish of vegetated waters.
Where does the Nile killifish live?
The Nile killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Northeast and East Africa; small waters, swamps and vegetated banks.
How big does the Nile killifish get?
The Nile killifish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.
Is the Nile killifish dangerous to humans?
No, the Nile killifish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Nile killifish edible?
The Nile killifish is not usually eaten.
Want the complete picture on the Nile killifish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Nile killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.
All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Micropanchax
More from the family Procatopodidae
Want the complete picture on the Nile killifish?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Nile killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.