Lake Tanganyika sardine

Lake Tanganyika sardine ( Limnothrissa miodon )

The Lake Tanganyika sardine ( Limnothrissa miodon ) lives endemic to the East African Lake Tanganyika. It is the only species of its genus. Next to her, there is a second endemic herring, Stolothrissa tanganicae in the lake. Besides these two pegs are there only four other pelagic, ie in open water before living fish species.

Both species form huge swarms, which may be several kilometers long. They are the most numerous fish of Lake Tanganyika.

The Lake Tanganyika sardine is 17 inches long. It feeds on zooplankton, such as copepods, small shrimp and juvenile fish of Stolothrissa tanganicae.

They spawn near the shore from December to January and May to June.

Both herring of the lake are of the endemic giant perch Lates angustifrons, L. mariae, L. microlepis and L. eaten stappersii. Since these predators reside mainly in depths of 100 meters, the herring rise to the surface at night. Man also captures both fish species. These bonfires are lit to attract the fish on the banks. You will then be caught with nets from the shore. Zambian fishermen set to catch an even boats. The fish are dried in the sun and far sold in the interior. The Lake Tanganyika sardine was introduced by man in the Lake Kivu and Kariba and Cahora reservoirs in the Bassa.