Broad-barred citharine (Nannocharax macropterus)

Scientific name: Nannocharax macropterus Pellegrin, 1926

The Broad-barred citharine (Nannocharax macropterus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F). Native range: Africa, Upper Zambezi, Okavango, Kafue system, headwaters of the Kasa? and Lualaba areas of the Congo basin.

Broad-barred citharine care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 8

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Nannocharax macropterus
Family: Distichodontidae
Order: Characiformes (Characins)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 6.0
Environment: Freshwater; pelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Upper Zambezi, Okavango, Kafue system, headwaters of the Kasa? and Lualaba areas of the Congo basin.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries:
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026