Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Danionidae (Danios) > Chedrinae
Etymology: Opsaridium: Greek, opsarion, -ou = a little portion fish (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Peters.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.0; dH range: 8 - 12. Tropical; 24°C - 26°C (Ref. 2060); 11°S - 27°S
Africa: Zambezi, Okavango, Pungwe, Limpopo, and Buzi River systems southwards to the Pongolo River; absent in Kafue and Cunene Rivers (Ref. 7248, 52193). Also in the Luapula River system in Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia; records from southern tributaries of the Congo (Kasai, Luachimo, Chiumbe, Kwilu) may represent an other, unidentified species (Ref. 26673).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 12.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 52193)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11 - 13; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 13 - 17. Diagnosis: With striking vertical bars, lateral line curving down towards the ventral surface of the body and a large curved mouth (Ref. 13337).The dorsal fin is rounded; barbels absent (Ref. 13337).
Prefers clear, flowing waters of larger perennial rivers, frequenting pools below rocky rapids (Ref. 2801). Found also in quiet water with aquatic wed cover. Lives in shoals, usually in shallow water over sandy bottoms. It feeds on aquatic larvae and insects, shrimps and small crustaceans, from surface or water column (Ref. 13337, 52193). Breeds in spring and summer (Ref. 7248, 52193). Also caught with dip nets (Ref. 4967).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Lévêque, C. and J. Daget, 1984. Cyprinidae. p. 217-342. In J. Daget, J.-P. Gosse and D.F.E. Thys van den Audenaerde (eds.) Check-list of the freshwater fishes of Africa (CLOFFA). ORSTOM, Paris and MRAC, Tervuren. Vol. 1. (Ref. 2801)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
Tools
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5002 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00617 (0.00316 - 0.01202), b=2.96 (2.79 - 3.13), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & (Sub)family-body (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.4 ±0.48 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
