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Grasse's dwarf fish (Grasseichthys gabonensis) — Kneriidae

Grasse's dwarf fish

Grasseichthys gabonensis
Family: Kneriidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Grasse's dwarf fish (Grasseichthys gabonensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Kneriidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; open water of rivers and streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Grasse's dwarf fish is an extremely small cyprinid-like fish (Kneriidae) from the fresh waters of Central Africa. The species grows to only about two centimetres and has a translucent body. Unlike many small bottom fishes it does not bury in the sand but lives in open water, where it forms schools; in the rainy season, when it spawns, it can be locally very abundant. It feeds on very small zooplankton. Owing to habitat loss the species is considered vulnerable. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Grasse's dwarf fish?

The Grasse's dwarf fish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Extremely small (~2 cm), translucent open-water schooling fish; vulnerable through habitat loss.

Where does the Grasse's dwarf fish live?

The Grasse's dwarf fish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Central Africa; open water of rivers and streams.

How big does the Grasse's dwarf fish get?

The Grasse's dwarf fish grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Grasse's dwarf fish dangerous to humans?

No, the Grasse's dwarf fish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Grasse's dwarf fish edible?

The Grasse's dwarf fish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Grasse's dwarf fish sourced
Scientific name
Grasseichthys gabonensis
Family
Kneriidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Central Africa; open water of rivers and streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Very small zooplankton sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups 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
Extremely small (~2 cm), translucent open-water schooling fish; vulnerable through habitat loss. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Kneriidae

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