Home · Distichodontidae · Fourline fish-eater
Fourline fish-eater (Ichthyborus quadrilineatus) — Distichodontidae

Fourline fish-eater

Ichthyborus quadrilineatus
VU · Vulnerable

The Fourline fish-eater (Ichthyborus quadrilineatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
20.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The fourline fish-eater is a characiform from West African rivers, from Guinea to Liberia, including the Casamance and the Corubal. It grows to about 21 cm and has an elongate body with a pointed head and longitudinal lines. It lives in the open water of tropical rivers and, as the genus name suggests, is a predator that preys partly on other fish. Behind the dorsal fin it carries an adipose fin. Because of habitat loss within its limited range the species is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fourline fish-eater?

The Fourline fish-eater has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Fourline fish-eater live?

The Fourline fish-eater lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Fourline fish-eater get?

The Fourline fish-eater grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Fourline fish-eater dangerous to humans?

No, the Fourline fish-eater is harmless to humans.

Is the Fourline fish-eater edible?

The Fourline fish-eater is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vierlijnige visbijter verified
English name
Fourline fish-eater verified
Scientific name
Ichthyborus quadrilineatus
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Sportvissen met kunstaas of (dood/levend) aasvis door te trollen, te werpen of drijvend te vissen in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Ichthyborus

More from the family Distichodontidae

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