Lake Tanganyika sprat (Stolothrissa tanganicae) fish species and information / pictures of Lake Tanganyika sprat - Stolothrissa tanganicae

Lake Tanganyika sprat (Stolothrissa tanganicae) fish species information

Scientific Name
Stolothrissa tanganicae

Common Name
Lake Tanganyika sprat

Biology
A lacustrine species forming very large schools, the juveniles tending to stay closer to shore than those 5 cm SL or more. Appears to stay below about 60 m by day, rising up to 8-15 m at night, especially on dark nights. Feeds on plankton. Breeds at about 6 cm SL, with ripe individuals present almost throughout the year, but major spawning in May and June and again in December and January. Adults move inshore to breed. The eggs sink slowly.

Classification

Classified By

Regan, 1917

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Herrings (Clupeiformes)

Family

Herrings, shads and sardines (Clupeidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Endemic to Lake Tanganyika.

Range

1°S - 10°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

8 m

Depth To - meters

60 m

Zone

pelagic

Environment

Freshwater; pelagic; depth range 8 - 60 m

Trophic Level

2.74 s.e. 0.29 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

10.0 cm

Common Length

7.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 1.0000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: highly commercial

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (10 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=1.62-2.66)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)