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Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax taenia) — Distichodontidae

Banded African darter tetra

Nannocharax taenia
LC · Least Concern

The Banded African darter tetra (Nannocharax taenia) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Nannocharax taenia is a small, bottom-dwelling fish of the family Distichodontidae from West and Central Africa. The species has an elongate, slightly flattened body with a dark lengthwise stripe or a row of cross-bars and reaches about 7 cm. With its bottom-oriented habits and jerky movement it strongly resembles the North American darters, hence the English name. It inhabits clear, flowing streams and rivers with a sandy or gravel bottom and feeds on small invertebrates picked from the bottom. Owing to its peculiar appearance the species is prized by advanced aquarists; it has no fishery value.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded African darter tetra?

The Banded African darter tetra has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Banded African darter tetra live?

The Banded African darter tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Banded African darter tetra get?

The Banded African darter tetra grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Banded African darter tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded African darter tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Banded African darter tetra edible?

The Banded African darter tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bandstreep-darter sourced
English name
Banded African darter tetra sourced
Scientific name
Nannocharax taenia
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Nannocharax

More from the family Distichodontidae

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