Lake Mweru sprat

📖 Overview

Lake Mweru sprat (Microthrissa moeruensis), first described by Poll, 1948 is a tiny fish in the family Dorosomatidae (order Clupeiformes). Adults typically reach 4.10 cm in maximum length. It inhabits freshwater systems including rivers, streams, and lakes. It occurs in Tropical waters. It is broadly omnivorous, taking invertebrates, plant matter, and detritus. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Vulnerable.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 15; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 15 - 22; Vertebrae: 39 - 41. Diagnosis: Body slender, its depth about 20-25% of standard length; scutes strongly keeled, beginning just behind base of last pectoral fin ray, about 10-12 pre-pelvic and 5-8 post-pelvic scutes; snout rather pointed; lower jaw not or slightly projecting, with small teeth limited to anterior part; pre-maxillae with a single row of 11-24 small conical teeth directed inwards; maxilla slender, its blade a little more than 3 times longer than deep, upper edge a little ridged; posterior supra-maxilla slender, spatulate, with distinct anterior shaft, shaft longer than blade; lower gillrakers 18-20 . Also characterized by 33-40 scales in a longitudinal series and anal fin with 15-22 rays . It resembles small Microthrissa congica, which has a much blunter snout and less scales in a longitudinal series, 26-35 vs. 33-40 . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Lake Mweru sprat is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; pelagic. Tropical; 6°S - 10°S endemic to Lake Mweru (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 31 records indexed .

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