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Enteromius paludinosus (Peters, 1852) Straightfin barb |
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photo by
Seegers, L. |
| Family: | Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae | |||
| Max. size: | 15 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.80000019073486 - 7.80000019073486; dH range: 5 - 25, | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: ranges from Ethiopia in the north, through East and Central Africa, extending westwards into Angola and reaching the southern-most limits of its distribution in Vungu, KwaZulu-Natal, in South Africa (Ref. 2801, 52193). In the Congo basin known from Lake Mweru, Luapula, upper Lualaba, Lufira (Ref. 41590) and upper Lulua (Ref. 42554). | |||
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-10. Diagnosis: Last unbranched ray of dorsal fin thorny, long and with posterior denticulation; barbels not well developed, anterior barbel very short, just reaching the posterior side of the maxilla, posterior barbel just reaching the middle of the eye (Ref. 27628). Dorsal side brown-silver coloured, ventral side silver, with a darker band on the flanks; fins not coloured (Ref. 27628). Description: Head pointed, mouth small, with 2 pairs of short barbels (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 7-8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5-7 branched rays; Primary dorsal fin ray serrated on distal half, hind margin of erect dorsal fin vertical (Ref. 27628, 52193). Scales in lateral line 32-40, 16-18 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 27628, 52193). Colouration: Plain olive grey or silvery in turbid waters, a thin sideline sometimes present (Ref. 52193). Fins not coloured (Ref. 27628). |
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| Biology: | Hardy, prefers quiet, well-vegetated waters in lakes, swamps, and marshes or marginal areas of larger rivers and slow-flowing streams (Ref. 7248, 52193). In shallow, inshore areas of Lake Victoria especially where bottom is sandy (Ref. 4903). Bottom feeder (Ref. 12526), it feeds on a wide variety of small organisms including insects, small snails and crustaceans, algae, diatoms, and detritus (Ref. 7248, 52193). Eaten by large predators like the sharptooth catfish, tigerfish, largemouth breams (Serranochromis species) and birds (Ref. 7248, 52193). Spawns amongst vegetation during summer (Ref. 7248, 52193), in river and streams during rainy season in Lake Victoria basin (Ref. 4903). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2018 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||