Lake Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon)

Scientific name: Limnothrissa miodon Boulenger, 1906

Lake Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon)

The Lake Tanganyika sardine (Limnothrissa miodon) is a freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 21–29°C (70–84°F). Native range: Africa, endemic to Lake Tanganyika, but introduced into several other lakes (Lake Kivu, Lake Kariba, and Cabora Bassa reservoir).

Lake Tanganyika sardine care at a glance

Temperature
21–29°C (70–84°F)

Biology

Near shore and in bays. Very common, has been successfully introduced to Lakes Kava, Kariba and Carbora Bass. A lacustrine species, preferring open water. Forms large schools. Mainly nocturnal and feeds on plankton (especially atyid shrimps, also copepods, prawns), but larger individuals take larval Stolothrissa. Cannibalism does occur. Breeds close to shore throughout the rainy seasons, but with peaks in May to June and December to January. Fire is used to attract the fish and caught by means of scoop nets.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Limnothrissa miodon
Family
Clupeidae (Herrings, shads and sardines)
Order
Clupeiformes (Herrings)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
17.0
Common length
10.0
Depth range
20–40 m (66–131 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; pelagic; non-migratory; depth range 20 - 40 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: endemic to Lake Tanganyika, but introduced into several other lakes (Lake Kivu, Lake Kariba, and Cabora Bassa reservoir).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Potential pest
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; bait: usually
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.86-1.2)

Sources

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

Last updated