longsnout distichodus
Scientific name | Distichodus lusosso |
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Descriptor | Schilthuis |
Year of description | 1891 |
IUCN category (World) | LC |
Family | Distichodontidae |
Genus | Distichodus |
Introduction
The longsnout distichodus is a large tropical freshwater fish native to Central Africa.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Average size30 cm
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Maximum size40 cm
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Longevity12 year
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ShapeOvoid
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Patternvertical stripes
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Average size30 cm
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Maximum size40 cm
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Longevity12 year
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ShapeOvoid
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Patternvertical stripes
How to recognize the longsnout distichodus ?
The body height is 2.6 to 3.9 times in standard length. The head length is 3.3 to 3.6 times in standard length.
The dorsal fin, inserted slightly forward of the pelvic fins, is composed of 2 simple rays followed by 23 to 24 branched rays. The anal fin has 3 simple rays and 10 to 11 branched rays. The ceratobranchial gill rakers on the lower part of the first gill arch are 13 to 14 in number. The base of the dorsal fin is 2.4 to 2.9 times as long as its distance to the adipose fin.
The caudal peduncle is 1.1 to 1.2 times higher than long. The interorbital distance is 3 to 3.8 times in head length and 1.3 to 1.6 times in muzzle length, which is greatly elongated and much longer than high.
There are 73 to 77 scales along the body, 16 to 17 above the lateral line and 17 to 18 below. There are 25 to 27 scales around the caudal peduncle.
The body is red, marked with 6 to 7 transverse black bands, the first on the nape and the last on the caudal peduncle.
Sexual dimorphism
Longsnout distichodus do not exhibit sexual dimorphism or dichromatism.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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dietomnivorous with herbivorous tendency
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Sociabilityliving in shoals
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territorialNo
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Way of livingdiurnal
This species feeds on soft vegetation, such as new shoots and leaves, as well as worms and other bottom-dwelling invertebrates. Therefore, it can be considered a predominantly herbivorous omnivore.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui pond en eau libre
D. lusosso is an oviparous fish for which the reproduction protocol is not known.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Geographic distribution & Conservation
Longsnout distichodus is exclusively found in the Congo. It is found from the lower Congo to the Lualaba. However, it is absent from the Moero-Luapula-Bangwelo system.
This widely distributed species in Central Africa is considered of Least Concern.
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature22 - 26 °C
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pH (acidity)6.5 - 7
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gh (hardness)2 - 20
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FlowSlow and Stagnant
Biotope presentation
Longsnout distichodus frequents large rivers with slightly acidic water and a temperature of about 25°C. This species only inhabits calm areas or very moderate currents.
Species of the same biotope
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
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Min volume1000 liters
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Population minnot specified
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Temperature22 - 26 °C
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pH (acidity)6.5 - 7
Characteristics
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Difficulty breedingmoderate
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Robustnesstolerant
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Behaviourmoderately aggressive
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
In nature, animals are subject to weather conditions and live in waters with variable characteristics. The recommendations offered by our team for aquarium maintenance are a guidance and cannot be assimilated to scientific datas.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the longsnout distichodus
The longsnout distichodus is a species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 26 °C. For proper maintenance, the temperature should never exceed the 29°C for long periods. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month.
The breeding of this species is accessible on condition of being well informed about its needs in aquarium . Any cohabitants must be chosen with care to avoid the loss of animals.
Formal incompatibilities
Cohabitation & Environment
Being a living in shoals fish, it is advisable to install at least 0 individuals in an aquarium of 1000 liters minimum. Group maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure their well-being. Lonely individuals tend to quickly become stressed and become especially susceptible to disease. Warning, mixing several species living in the same living area is not recommended if the volume is not significant.
Be careful, this species does not appreciate plants and will end up destroying, uprooting or nibbling them. It will not be possible to make an aquarium planted in its presence.
Tips for feeding
The longsnout distichodus is omnivorous with herbivorous tendency.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
You should not overfeed your residents to avoid polluting the water. For most species, it is better to feed a few small portions each day rather than one large meal.
Reproduction protocol
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egg-laying protectionNo
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
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To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Didier Paugy
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.