The six-banded distichodus or sixbar distichodus (Distichodus sexfasciatus) is an African species of freshwater fish in the family Distichodontidae.

Description

Distichodus sexfasciatus can reach a length of 76 cm. The body is high-backed, reddish brown to reddish-yellow colored, with an elongated, partially squat and laterally flattened head and six dark vertical bands. Its snout has a characteristic conical shape. They have 24–25 dorsal soft rays and 14–15 anal soft rays. These fishes feed on worms, crustaceans, insects and plant matter.

Distribution and habitat

This species can be found in Africa, in the basin of the Congo River and in the Lake Tanganyika in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Zambia and Angola. These freshwater fish occur in swarms and schools in rivers and lakes, in areas of tropical climate (typically 22-26 C).