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Malagarasi minnow (Opsaridium splendens) — Cyprinidae

Malagarasi minnow

Opsaridium splendens
Family: Cyprinidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Malagarasi minnow (Opsaridium splendens) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Malagarasi minnow is an African cyprinid from the Malagarasi drainage in East Africa. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, streamlined, silvery body, built for fast swimming in flowing water. It occurs in the main river and the smaller tributaries of the Malagarasi. As a small predator it hunts insects, small invertebrates and small fishes. Owing to limited data on its population the species is assessed as Data Deficient (DD). As a slender, fast schooling fish it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Malagarasi minnow?

The Malagarasi minnow has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Malagarasi minnow live?

The Malagarasi minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Malagarasi minnow get?

The Malagarasi minnow grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Malagarasi minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Malagarasi minnow is harmless to humans.

Is the Malagarasi minnow edible?

The Malagarasi minnow is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Malagarasi-glansvoorn sourced
English name
Malagarasi minnow sourced
Scientific name
Opsaridium splendens
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.2 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Opsaridium

More from the family Cyprinidae

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