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Striped African darter (Nannocharax lineostriatus) — Distichodontidae

Striped African darter

Nannocharax lineostriatus
NE · Not Evaluated

The Striped African darter (Nannocharax lineostriatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Congo basin
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The striped African darter is a minute African characin from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species reaches only about 3 cm and has a slender, elongate body with a dark longitudinal stripe, adapted to life on the bottom. As a bottom-dweller it rests among sand and plants in clear streams and picks small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped African darter?

The Striped African darter has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender body with a dark longitudinal stripe; bottom-resting little sand-eater

Where does the Striped African darter live?

The Striped African darter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Congo basin

How big does the Striped African darter get?

The Striped African darter grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Striped African darter dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped African darter 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 Striped African darter edible?

The Striped African darter is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped African darter verified
Scientific name
Nannocharax lineostriatus
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Congo basin verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates and algae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-resting small stream characin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender body with a dark longitudinal stripe; bottom-resting little sand-eater sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Nannocharax

More from the family Distichodontidae

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