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Sanjika (Opsaridium microlepis) — Cyprinidae

Sanjika

Opsaridium microlepis
Family: Cyprinidae
EN · Endangered

The Sanjika (Opsaridium microlepis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 47 cm.

Length
47 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Sanjika is a cyprinid (Danionidae) from fresh water of Lake Malawi and its feeder rivers in East Africa. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a slender, streamlined, silvery body with a terminal mouth. As a fast, schooling fish it swims in clear, flowing rivers and lakes and hunts insects, larvae and small invertebrates; to spawn it migrates upstream. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sanjika?

The Sanjika has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sanjika live?

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

How big does the Sanjika get?

The Sanjika grows to a maximum of about 47 cm.

Is the Sanjika dangerous to humans?

No, the Sanjika is harmless to humans.

Is the Sanjika edible?

Yes, the Sanjika is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sanjika sourced
English name
Sanjika sourced
Scientific name
Opsaridium microlepis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Lake salmon verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
47.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. 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 Opsaridium

More from the family Cyprinidae

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