Moon Fish
📖 Overview
Occurs in open water and vegetation beds of lakes and flowing water; ingests mud containing benthic and sedimented algae; spawns in the perennial wetland at high water (in the Sudd in South Sudan) .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 20 - 23; Anal soft rays: 23 - 26. Diagnosis: 59-77 lateral line scales . Body depth 1.6-1.9 times and head length 3.3-4.3 times in SL; caudal peduncle length 0.6-0.8 times its depth; short snout, 0.9-1.5 times eye diameter; eye diameter 3.9-6 times in head length; adipose-fin base 1.4-2 times longer than distance separating it from rayed dorsal fin; pointed pectoral fins, shorter than head (0.6-0.85 times head length) and as long as pelvic fins; cycloid scales; scale formula 17.5-18.5/59-71/18.5-19.5; 13.5-15.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 20-23 dorsal fin rays; 23-26 anal fin rays . : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Moon Fish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; demersal. Tropical known from Senegal, Casamance, Niger, Volta, Chad basin and certain coastal rivers in Guinéa-Bissau, Togo and Benin (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Moon Fish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.1 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 299 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Moon Fish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Moon Fish |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Kamarah Latus · Betkoya, Bitkuya |
| 🌍CES | patetra široká |
| 🌍EWE | Kebee · Vavi |
| 🌍GLE | Mleke |
| 🌍IBO | Azu mpete |
| 🌍KAU | Fulful |
| 🌍THA | Sala |
| 🌍YOR | Osu |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 30 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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