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Ornate ichthyborus (Ichthyborus ornatus) — Distichodontidae

Ornate ichthyborus

Ichthyborus ornatus
Family: Distichodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ornate ichthyborus (Ichthyborus ornatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Congo basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Ichthyborus ornatus is a fish-eating African characiform (family Distichodontidae) of the central Congo basin. The species reaches about 18 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with an ornate pattern of spots. The genus name refers to its piscivorous habit: it is a predator that hunts small fishes. It lives pelagically in fresh waters of the tropical lowlands, in soft, slightly acidic water. The species is harmless to humans and of little fishery value. Little is known in detail about its reproduction.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ornate ichthyborus?

The Ornate ichthyborus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Streamlined, fish-eating characin with elegant spotted markings.

Where does the Ornate ichthyborus live?

The Ornate ichthyborus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Congo basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo.

How big does the Ornate ichthyborus get?

The Ornate ichthyborus grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Ornate ichthyborus dangerous to humans?

No, the Ornate ichthyborus is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Ornate ichthyborus edible?

The Ornate ichthyborus is rarely eaten.

More photos

Ornate ichthyborus (Ichthyborus ornatus) — Distichodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) John P Friel, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Ornate ichthyborus (Ichthyborus ornatus) — Distichodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — John P Friel (CC BY 4.0)
Ornate ichthyborus (Ichthyborus ornatus) — Distichodontidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — John P Friel (CC BY 4.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ornate ichthyborus sourced
Scientific name
Ichthyborus ornatus
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots 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 Congo basin in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Streamlined, fish-eating characin with elegant spotted markings. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. 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 Ichthyborus

Congo fin-eater (Ichthyborus congolensis) — Distichodontidae
Congo fin-eater
Ichthyborus congolensis
Distichodontidae
 Nile fin-eater (Ichthyborus besse) — Distichodontidae
Nile fin-eater
Ichthyborus besse
Distichodontidae
 Fourline fish-eater (Ichthyborus quadrilineatus) — Distichodontidae
Fourline fish-eater
Ichthyborus quadrilineatus
Distichodontidae

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