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Nga lampeye (Plataplochilus ngaensis) — Poeciliidae

Nga lampeye

Plataplochilus ngaensis
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Nga lampeye (Plataplochilus ngaensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Nga lampeye is a lampeye (Procatopodidae) from slow-flowing streams, pools and swamps of western Central Africa. The species grows to only about 4 cm and has a slender, semi-translucent body with a strikingly bright, blue-green glowing eye-ring. As a social, surface-oriented fish it swims in schools and snaps at mosquito larvae, small plankton and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Nga lampeye?

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

Where does the Nga lampeye live?

The Nga lampeye lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Nga lampeye get?

The Nga lampeye grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Nga lampeye dangerous to humans?

No, the Nga lampeye is harmless to humans.

Is the Nga lampeye edible?

The Nga lampeye is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nga-lampoogje sourced
English name
Nga lampeye sourced
Scientific name
Plataplochilus ngaensis
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Nga lampeye verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Average length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Plataplochilus

More from the family Poeciliidae

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