Home · Distichodontidae · Powell's tetra
Powell's tetra (Neolebias powelli) — Distichodontidae

Powell's tetra

Neolebias powelli
EN · Endangered

The Powell's tetra (Neolebias powelli) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
1.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Powell's tetra is a small African characiform (Distichodontidae) from the fresh waters of West Africa. The species is small and has a stocky body with reddish and greenish tints and a dark lengthwise stripe. It inhabits shallow, vegetated and oxygen-poor swamps and streams of the coastal lowlands. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and plant matter. Owing to a limited range and habitat loss the species is considered endangered. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Powell's tetra?

The Powell's tetra has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Powell's tetra live?

The Powell's tetra lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Powell's tetra get?

The Powell's tetra grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Powell's tetra dangerous to humans?

No, the Powell's tetra is harmless to humans.

Is the Powell's tetra edible?

The Powell's tetra is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Powells dwergzalm sourced
English name
Powell's tetra sourced
Scientific name
Neolebias powelli
Family
Distichodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
1.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Omnivore 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 Neolebias

More from the family Distichodontidae

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