Scientific Name
Distichodus mossambicus

Common Name
Nkupe

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-29; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15. Diagnosis: snout extended; mouth terminal; head about 4 times in fork length; juveniles with 6-7 dark bars (Ref. 52193).

Classification

Classified By

Peters, 1852

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Characins (Characiformes)

Family

Distichodontidae (Distichodontidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: middle and lower Zambezi (including Lake Kariba), Pungwe and Buzi rivers (Mozambique) (Ref. 52193).

Range

11°S - 21°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; pelagic

Trophic Level

3.18 s.e. 0.49 Based on food items.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

57.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (43 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)