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Twospot bivibranchia (Bivibranchia bimaculata) — Hemiodontidae

Twospot bivibranchia

Bivibranchia bimaculata
Family: Hemiodontidae
LC · Least Concern

The Twospot bivibranchia (Bivibranchia bimaculata) is a freshwater fish of the family Hemiodontidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Sandy and rocky rivers of northern South America.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Bivibranchia bimaculata is a slender freshwater fish of the family Hemiodontidae from northern South America. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with two dark spots and reaches about 13 cm. It occurs over sand and rock bottoms and has a strongly protrusible mouth with which it digs in the sand for the small organisms on which it feeds. The species is oviparous; juveniles are often found in tributaries that may be far from the main river. Owing to its small size it has limited fishery importance and is sometimes found in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Twospot bivibranchia?

The Twospot bivibranchia has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Highly protrusible mouth for digging for food in sand; two dark blotches.

Where does the Twospot bivibranchia live?

The Twospot bivibranchia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Sandy and rocky rivers of northern South America.

How big does the Twospot bivibranchia get?

The Twospot bivibranchia grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Twospot bivibranchia dangerous to humans?

No, the Twospot bivibranchia 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 Twospot bivibranchia edible?

The Twospot bivibranchia is rarely eaten.

More photos

Twospot bivibranchia (Bivibranchia bimaculata) — Hemiodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Vincent Rufray, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Twospot bivibranchia (Bivibranchia bimaculata) — Hemiodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Diemer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Twospot bivibranchia sourced
Scientific name
Bivibranchia bimaculata
Family
Hemiodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Sandy and rocky rivers of northern South America. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling organisms dug from the sand sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Highly protrusible mouth for digging for food in sand; two dark blotches. 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 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 Bivibranchia

More from the family Hemiodontidae

Fin

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