Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Characiformes (Characins) >
Distichodontidae (Distichodus)
Etymology: Distichodus: Greek, di = two + Greek, stix, stichos = line, row (Ref. 45335). More on author: Günther.
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical, preferred ?
Africa: Sudanian species - Senegal, Gambia, Niger (downstream from Bamako), Volta, Chad. Unlike Distichodus rostratus, it is not found in the lower basins of the Volta and other coastal basins between Gambia and Niger (Ref. 2936, 86396). Also found in the White Nile (Ref. 2936).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 59.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2936); max. published weight: 6.0 kg (Ref. 7094)
Short description
Morphology | Morphometrics
Diagnosis: mouth terminal; body depth 2.2-3.6x and head length 3.2-4.7x SL; caudal peduncle 0.7-0.9x longer than wide; eye diameter 3.6 (juveniles)-6.7x head length; scale formula 17.5-20.5/84-97/22.5-26.5; 18-20 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin bases; 13-16 anal fin branched rays; 19-24 dorsal fin branched rays; juveniles with numerous spots on sides (Ref. 2936, 86396).
Maximum TL was recorded at 70 cm (Ref. 7094). Prefers flowing water. Feeds on vegetation and periphyton (Ref. 28714).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Gosse, J.-P. and E.J. Coenen, 1990. Distichodontidae. p. 237-260. In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douces et saumâtres de l'Afrique de l'Ouest. Tome I. Coll. Faune Tropicale n° XXVIII. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren and O.R.S.T.O.M., Paris, 384 p. (Ref. 2936)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial
More information
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Age/SizeGrowthLength-weightLength-lengthLength-frequenciesMorphometricsMorphologyLarvaeLarval dynamicsRecruitmentAbundance
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