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Spotted leporinus (Leporinus ortomaculatus) — Anostomidae

Spotted leporinus

Leporinus ortomaculatus
Family: Anostomidae

The Spotted leporinus (Leporinus ortomaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Anostomidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Spotted leporinus is a headstander characin (Anostomidae) from fresh water of the Orinoco basin in South America. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, silvery to yellow-brown body with a row of dark blotches along the flank and a small mouth with prominent incisor teeth. Characteristically it often holds itself at an angle, head down, among water plants and wood and eats algae, water plants, fruit and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted leporinus?

The Spotted leporinus has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spotted leporinus live?

The Spotted leporinus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Spotted leporinus get?

The Spotted leporinus grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Spotted leporinus dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted leporinus is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlek-leporinus sourced
English name
Spotted leporinus sourced
Scientific name
Leporinus ortomaculatus
Family
Anostomidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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