| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae |
| Max. size: |
49 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 3,600.0 g; max. reported age: 9 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous |
| Distribution: |
Africa: lower and middle reaches of the Zambezi River system, including the Shire and Lake Malawi (Ref. 26190). Also in Lake Mweru and the Luapula (upper Congo River basin) (Ref. 26190). Range thought to extend to some East Coast rivers (Rufiji system) (Ref. 1440). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14-16; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Body relatively deep and compressed (Ref. 52193). Snout with red tubercles; mouth subterminal; lips papillose; a single pair of short barbels (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 11-13 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays; dorsal fin usually very large, with extended rays (Ref. 52193). Scales in lateral line 36-39, 16-18 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 26190, 52193). Colouration: Juveniles silvery with large black spot on caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193). Adult colour variable but often very attractive, with bright green base, iridescent pinkish scales, and a bright green band on the body behind the gill cover; silvery white below, fins deep bluish grey (Ref. 52193). |
| Biology: |
Prefers large rivers but is also found in large lakes and dams (Ref. 52193). It grazes on algae and `aufwuchs' from rocks (Ref. 7248, 52193). From October to December in Lake Moëro, the adults gather and migrate to the spawning grounds; they go up the Luapula River up to the foot of Johnston Falls where they undergo one massive spawning between January and March. This massive spawning of short duration is known as kapata in the Luapula-Moëro system and in the tributaries of the Luapula. This species is intensely fished and caviar is produce from eggs collected during migration from Lake Moëro to Luapula River (Ref. 26190). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 May 2018 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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