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Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat (Nannothrissa stewarti) — Clupeidae

Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat

Nannothrissa stewarti
Family: Clupeidae
EN · Endangered

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat (Nannothrissa stewarti) is a freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; acidic lake water.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Stewart's dwarf sardine is a very small herring relative (Clupeidae) from Central Africa. The species is small and has a slender, silvery body. It is a lake-dwelling species that lives in acidic water and swims in schools in the open water column. It feeds on small zooplankton it filters from the water. It is a prey fish for larger fishes. Owing to a very limited range the species is considered endangered. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Very small, schooling dwarf sardine of acidic lake water; threatened by its restricted range.

Where does the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat live?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Africa; acidic lake water.

How big does the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat get?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat dangerous to humans?

No, the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat edible?

The Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat is rarely eaten.

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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat is one of 12,519 species in the app.

All data

Identification

English name
Mai-ndombe dwarf sprat verified
Scientific name
Nannothrissa stewarti
Family
Clupeidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Forked
Mouth position
Terminal
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Central Africa; acidic lake water.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, sifted from the water sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Very small, schooling dwarf sardine of acidic lake water; threatened by its restricted range. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

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

Same genus Nannothrissa

More from the family Clupeidae

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