Nkupe (Distichodus mossambicus)

Scientific name: Distichodus mossambicus Peters, 1852

The Nkupe (Distichodus mossambicus) is a freshwater fish of the family Distichodontidae. Native range: Africa, middle and lower Zambezi (including Lake Kariba), Pungwe and Buzi rivers (Mozambique).

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 27-29; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 14 - 15. Diagnosis: snout extended; mouth terminal; head about 4 times in fork length; juveniles with 6-7 dark bars.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Distichodus mossambicus
Family: Distichodontidae
Order: Characiformes (Characins)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 57.0
Environment: Freshwater; pelagic
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Africa: middle and lower Zambezi (including Lake Kariba), Pungwe and Buzi rivers (Mozambique).
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (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