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Pearson's leporinus (Leporinus pearsoni) — Anostomidae

Pearson's leporinus

Leporinus pearsoni
Family: Anostomidae

The Pearson's leporinus (Leporinus pearsoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Anostomidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Upstream Amazon basin
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Pearson's leporinus is a small characin (Anostomidae) from the upper Amazon and Madeira region of South America. The species grows to about 11 cm and has an elongate, yellow-brown body with a few dark crossbars or spots. Like related headstanders it often takes a head-down posture. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it eats plant material, algae, insects and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pearson's leporinus?

The Pearson's leporinus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Head-down posture; bottom-oriented headstander

Where does the Pearson's leporinus live?

The Pearson's leporinus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Upstream Amazon basin

How big does the Pearson's leporinus get?

The Pearson's leporinus grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Pearson's leporinus dangerous to humans?

No, the Pearson's leporinus 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.

Is the Pearson's leporinus edible?

The Pearson's leporinus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Pearson's leporinus sourced
Scientific name
Leporinus pearsoni
Family
Anostomidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.5 verified
Average length (cm)
6.3 sourced
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Upstream Amazon basin sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Plant matter, algae, insects and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-oriented river fish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Head-down posture; bottom-oriented headstander sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 Leporinus

More from the family Anostomidae

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