Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > Smiliogastrinae
Etymology: Cheilobarbus: The name Cheilobarbus is derived from the Greek ‘cheilos’ meaning a margin, lip or brim, and the Latin ‘barba’ meaning a beard and referring to the oral barbels. Smith (1841) mentioned the “lips” of these species as being “full and firm”.
More on author: Peters.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical; 30°S - 34°S
Africa: Clanwilliam Olifants River system, western Cape Province in South Africa (Ref. 7248, 119402).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 50.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 7248); max. published weight: 7.0 kg (Ref. 7248)
Favors deep pools and runs of mainstreams, also impounded waters; young occur in smaller tributaries. Breeds in summer, congregating in deep pools below waterfalls and rapids. Feeds on insects and invertebrates as well as algae and detritus mainly off the bottom, leaving characteristic pockets in sand and gravel beds. Decline in population is due to the introduction of bass, increasing habitat destruction and the impendence of large dams (Ref. 7248).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Skelton, P.H., E.R. Swartz and E.J. Vreven, 2018. The identity of Barbus capensis Smith, 1841 and the generic status of southern African tetraploid cyprinids (Teleostei, Cyprinidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 410:1-29. (Ref. 119402)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Gamefish: yes
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00562 (0.00253 - 0.01250), b=3.09 (2.89 - 3.29), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.7 ±0.27 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (44 of 100).