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Halfline leporinus (Leporinus nigrotaeniatus) — Anostomidae

Halfline leporinus

Leporinus nigrotaeniatus
Family: Anostomidae
LC · Least Concern

The Halfline leporinus (Leporinus nigrotaeniatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Anostomidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The blackband leporinus is a headstander (Anostomidae) from northern South America. The species has an elongate, yellowish body with a conspicuous black lengthwise band along the flank, to which the name refers, and a small mouth with a few protruding teeth. It lives in rivers and floodplains of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, often among water plants and roots. Like other headstanders it often swims obliquely with the head down. As an omnivore it feeds on plant matter, seeds, algae and small invertebrates. Distinct pairs breed in densely vegetated places. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Halfline leporinus?

The Halfline leporinus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Halfline leporinus live?

The Halfline leporinus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Halfline leporinus get?

The Halfline leporinus grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Halfline leporinus dangerous to humans?

No, the Halfline leporinus is harmless to humans.

Is the Halfline leporinus edible?

The Halfline leporinus is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartband-kopstaander sourced
English name
Halfline leporinus verified
Scientific name
Leporinus nigrotaeniatus
Family
Anostomidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Leporinus

More from the family Anostomidae

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