Denticle Herring
Denticeps clupeoides
A rare, primitive living fossil from West Africa, recognizable by its completely denticulated skull. This delicate, schooling surface-dweller needs vast swimming space and strong water currents.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
6 - 7.5
Type d'eau
Eau douce
Niveau dans le bac
Surface et milieu
Taille adulte
5 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 60 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
GH
4 - 12 dGH
KH
2 - 6 dKH
TDS
80 - 240 ppm
Conductivité
125 - 375 uS/cm
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to rivers and streams in West Africa (southern Benin and Nigeria). Swims in large schools in the surface areas of flowing and well-oxygenated waters.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Denticle Herring (Denticeps clupeoides). Extremely rare and "primitive" fish, the only living representative of the suborder Denticipitoidei. Characterized by denticulated scales (denticles) that cover not only the body but also the skull.
Social Behavior: Strictly gregarious fish, peaceful and perpetually in motion like a miniature herring. Absolutely vital to keep it in large schools (10+ specimens) to dampen its natural shyness.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Slender and silvery body, highly iridescent. A dark lateral line crosses the body, enhancing the metallic reflections while swimming. Dimorphism absent to the naked eye.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Long tank (at least 80-100 cm / 32-40 inches). Decor is secondary; the fundamental layout requires vast open swimming areas and a strong horizontal surface current provided by the filters. Categorically closed tank.
Diet and Feeding: Feeds almost exclusively on zooplankton and tiny falling insects. It is essential to provide powdered feed, daphnia, cyclops and brine shrimp nauplii.
Water Quality: Intolerant to oxygen crashes or high levels of nitrogenous compounds. The water must be very fresh and moved; it does not tolerate torrid temperatures (maximum 26°C / 79°F).
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Rarely seen in commercial circuits, it should be kept in an African river biotope with other peaceful fish (e.g. small Pelvicachromis or African characins). Terrible with nervous or aggressive fish.
Aquarium Breeding: Effectively unknown and undocumented in amateur aquariums. It is presumed to be a pelagic spawner that scatters eggs in the strong current.
Risks and Diseases: Extremely delicate fish at the time of purchase (transport stress, jumping on the floor, fasting wasting). Very sensitive to Ichthyophthirius and heavy medications.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Endemic to rivers and streams in West Africa (southern Benin and Nigeria). Swims in large schools in the surface areas of flowing and well-oxygenated waters.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAfrique et Madagascar
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Semi-aggressive
- The Denticle herring is a peaceful, schooling species that thrives when kept in groups of its own kind. They are active swimmers and can be somewhat skittish if kept in numbers that are too small, leading to stress and reduced lifespan. Their peaceful nature makes them ill-suited for communities with large or aggressive fish, but they are very harmonious among themselves.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- In the wild, they are primarily micro-predators, feeding on small aquatic insects, zooplankton, and other tiny invertebrates found in the water column. In the aquarium, they should be offered a varied diet consisting of high-quality micro-pellets or crushed flakes, supplemented heavily with live or frozen foods. Offerings like Daphnia, newly hatched brine shrimp (Artemia nauplii), and cyclops are ideal for maintaining their health and encouraging natural feeding behaviors.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 5 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- School
- There are no strict sex ratio requirements for keeping a healthy school, though having a mix of males and females is generally recommended for natural social dynamics. Males may occasionally display territorial or courting behaviors towards females, but serious aggression is rare. Keeping them in a sizable group of at least 6 to 8 individuals helps disperse any potential tension and encourages them to school tightly.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- Due to their small size and active nature, they benefit from being fed small amounts several times a day rather than one large meal. Offering food two to three times daily helps simulate their natural foraging habits and ensures they receive adequate nutrition without polluting the water. Uneaten food should be removed promptly to prevent degradation of water quality, which they are sensitive to.
- Charge biologique
- Medium
- The Denticle herring has a relatively low bioload compared to many other aquarium fish of similar size, producing minimal waste. As long as the aquarium is equipped with a standard, properly cycled filtration system, water quality is usually easy to maintain. Regular water changes are still necessary to keep nitrates low, but this species will not heavily tax the biological capacity of a mature setup.
- Courant
- Stagnant
- They typically inhabit fast-flowing streams and rivers in their native West African environment, making them appreciative of moderate to high water movement in the aquarium. Providing a decent current using powerheads or a strong filter return will mimic their natural habitat and encourage their natural swimming behaviors. Well-oxygenated water is also a direct consequence of this flow, which is vital for their respiratory health.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- Like many riverine species that inhabit the upper levels of the water column, they are capable jumpers and may leap if startled or if water conditions are poor. A tight-fitting lid or cover glass is absolutely essential to prevent accidental escapes from the aquarium. Care should be taken during maintenance or feeding to minimize sudden movements that could spook them into jumping.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding in the home aquarium is rarely documented, as they have very specific requirements that are difficult to replicate. They are likely egg scatterers that require specific seasonal triggers, such as changes in water temperature or chemistry, to initiate spawning. If breeding is attempted, a separate setup with pristine water conditions and fine-leaved plants or spawning mops would be necessary to protect the eggs from predation.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Species only
- This species is generally peaceful but is best kept in a species-only setup or with very small, equally peaceful fish that share its specific water parameters. They can be easily outcompeted for food by faster, more aggressive species and may become stressed if housed with boisterous tankmates. Keeping them in a dedicated biotope aquarium ensures their delicate nature is respected and they can thrive without harassment.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Top/Middle
- They are predominantly middle to top-dwelling fish, often seen swimming actively in the upper half of the water column. Providing some open swimming space near the surface while maintaining cover via floating plants or overhanging branches will make them feel secure. They will occasionally venture lower to investigate food, but their primary activity zone remains elevated.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,3 ± 0,4 se
- Résilience
- Moyenne (1,4 - 4,4 ans)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 1.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.01122, b = 3.04
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
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