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Nile lampeye (Micropanchax antinorii) — Poeciliidae

Nile lampeye

Micropanchax antinorii
Family: Poeciliidae

The Nile lampeye (Micropanchax antinorii) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya

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Description

The Nile lampeye is a small African lampeye (Procatopodidae) from shallow fresh water of the Nile system and adjacent East Africa. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent body with a strikingly iridescent blue-glowing upper rim of the eye. As a schooling fish it swims near the surface of clear streams, swamps and lake shores and snaps at small zooplankton and insect larvae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nile lampeye?

The Nile lampeye has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Nile lampeye live?

The Nile lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya

How big does the Nile lampeye get?

The Nile lampeye grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Nile lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Nile lampeye is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Nile lampeye sourced
Scientific name
Micropanchax antinorii
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Black lampeye sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Average length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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 verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Micropanchax

More from the family Poeciliidae

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