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)