Citharinus citharus

Citharinus citharus
Representation of the fish
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Characiformes
Family:	Citharinidae
Genus:	Citharinus
Species:	C. citharus
Binomial name
Citharinus citharus (É. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, 1809)
Synonyms [2]
Serrasalmus citharus Geoffroy St. Hilaire, 1809 Citharinus geoffroei Cuvier, 1829 Distichodus marnoi Steindachner, 1881 Citharinus citharus intermedius Worthington, 1932

Citharinus citharus, commonly called moonfish or mleke, is a species of lutefish from tropical Africa. ^{[3] [2]} C. citharus has detritivorous habits leading to its stomach containing high volumes of indigestible materials such as chitin, cellulose, and lignin. TThis species has adapted to digest protein and organic matter at a fast rate so that it can reach its nutritional needs while having a high concentration of indigestible material in its stomach. ^[4]

Subspecies

• Citharinus citharus citharus nominate subspecies in Uganda ^[5]
• Citharinus citharus intermedius Worthington, 1932

References

1. Lalèyè, P. (2020). "Citharinus citharus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T182293A134901775. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T182293A134901775.en . Retrieved 28 September 2023.
2. Eschmeyer, William N.; Fricke, Ron & van der Laan, Richard (eds.). "Species in the genus Citharinus". Catalog of Fishes . California Academy of Sciences . Retrieved 3 June 2025.
3. Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Citharinus citharus". FishBase . August 2019 version.
4. Blé, M. C.; Arfi, R. (2009). "Seasonal effects on the nutritive value of the natural food of three omnivorous fish ( Oreochromis niloticus , Sarotherodon galilaeus , Citharinus citharus ) in Batamani Pond (Mali, West Africa)". Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems (393): 03. doi: 10.1051/kmae/2009014 . ISSN   1961-9502.
5. Bayona, J.D.R. (2010). "Citharinus citharus ssp. citharus (Eastern Africa assessment)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010: e.T183053A8046287. Retrieved 28 September 2023.