Moon fish (Citharinus citharus citharus)

Scientific name: Citharinus citharus citharus Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809

The Moon fish (Citharinus citharus citharus) is a freshwater fish of the family Citharinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–28°C (72–82°F). Native range: Africa, Sudanian form found in Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Volta, Ou?m? and Chad.

Moon fish care at a glance

Temperature: 22–28°C (72–82°F)

Biology

Common in large rivers of the Sudan region.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Citharinus citharus citharus
Family: Citharinidae (Lutefishes)
Order: Characiformes (Characins)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 58.0
Environment: Freshwater; demersal; anadromous
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: Sudanian form found in Senegal, Gambia, Niger, Volta, Ou?m? and Chad.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (K=0.33-0.59; Fec=685,000)