Scientific Name
Opsaridium microlepis

Common Name
Lake salmon

Biology
Caught in ringnets. Also caught by means of the angling method (Ref. 4967). Occurs in shallow water over sandy plains, but can also be seen in open water. A hunting predator which chases Engraulicypris sardella (Ref. 5595).

Classification

Classified By

G?nther, 1864

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Endemic to Lake Malawi.

Range

9°S - 15°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

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.83 s.e. 0.59 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

47.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5002 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (49 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Endangered (EN) (A2bcd)