Enteromius parajae (Van den Bergh & Teugels, 1998)

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  4.15 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 5.5 - 6.5
Distribution:  Africa: known from the upper Sanaga River basin (Ref. 27690, 81639) and the Kouilou-Niari basin (Ref. 81639).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 31-32. Diagnosis: mouth subinferior; barbels absent; lateral line incomplete with 4-7 perforated scales; 22-25 scales in lateral line; 10 circumpeduncular scales; 2.5-3.0 scales between lateral line and pelvic fin insertion; gill rakers present along lower limb of first gill arch; dorsal fin with straight posterior margin; last simple ray of dorsal fin soft and flexible; 4 simple rays in dorsal fin; 15-17 rays in pectoral fin (Ref. 27690, 81639). 3 infraorbital bones with clearly visible sensory canals (Ref. 27690). Description: small-sized; scales with divergent striae; lateral line incomplete: with 4-6 perforated scales; 22-25 scales in lateral line; 3.0-3.5 scales between lateral line and dorsal fin origin (Ref. 27690, 81639). 4.5 scales between lateral line and mid-belly (Ref. 81639). D:IV,8; A:III,5; P:15-17; V:II,8; dorsal fin with straight border, last simple ray flexible (Ref. 27690, 81639). Coloration: ground color pale olive, silvery ventrally; black round spot on caudal fin base and 6-9 vertical bars on flanks; black spot on anterior part of dorsal and anal fins; snout with black band; scales with dark brown border (Ref. 27690, 81639).
Biology:  Found in small rivers (5-10 m wide) with a sandy bottom and a well developed gallery of trees and high grasses; hides in the aquatic vegetation in relatively calm pools (Ref. 27690). Maximum total length observed is 5.31 cm (Ref. 27690).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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