Author: (Boulenger, 1906)
FBname: Lake Tanganyika sardine
Comments: Inhabits offshore areas of lake Tanganyika; also occurs at rivermouths, where the water is not too muddy and not very different physico-chemically from the Lake (Ref. 5393); lacustrine, forming large schools (Ref. 188, 7248), preferring open water (Ref. 13337). It has been successfully introduced to Lake Kivu, Lake Kariba and Cahora Bassa reservoir (Ref. 4967); found throughout Lake Kariba in both inshore habitats and open water to a depth of 20-35 m depending on the thermocline (Ref. 7248, 52193). Feeds on plankton, especially atyid shrimps, also copepods and prawns, but larger individuals apparently take larval <i>Stolothrissa</i> (Ref. 188). Cannibalism does occur (Ref. 13337). Breeds close to the shore throughout the rainy seasons, but with peaks in May/June and December/January (Ref. 188). Fire is used to attract the fish and caught by means of scoop nets (Ref. 36900). Used widely as bait by anglers, especially for tigerfish (Ref. 7248, 52193).