| Family: |
Distichodontidae (Distichodus) |
| Max. size: |
59 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 13 kg |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
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). |
| Diagnosis: |
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).
Description: snout rounded; each jaw with 2 rows of teeth; scaly, forked caudal fin with round lobes (Ref. 2936, 86396).
Coloration: gray body, dark back and sides, lighter to whitish belly; eye reddish; black inter-radial membranes of dorsal fin forming irregularly aligned patterns, not as well aligned as in D. rostratus; juveniles with round or vertically elongated spots irregularly scattered on sides and with orange spot on chin (Ref. 2936, 86396). |
| Biology: |
Maximum TL was recorded at 70 cm (Ref. 7094). Prefers flowing water. Feeds on vegetation and periphyton (Ref. 28714). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 May 2019 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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