Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > Smiliogastrinae
Etymology: Enteromius: Greek, enteron = intestine + Greek, myo, mys = muscle (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Fowler.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 13337). Tropical; 10°S - 28°S
Africa: widespread over northern parts of southern Africa including the Cunene, Okavango, Upper Zambezi, Kafue, Zambian Congo and Limpopo systems; isolated populations occur in Malawi and on the eastern shores of Lake St. Lucia in Natal (Ref. 52193). May be confused with the bowstriped barb, Barbus viviparus (Ref. 7248) but differs in pigmentation details (Ref. 52193).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 7.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 52193)
Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 5 - 6. Diagnosis: With 2 distinct black lateral stripes along the body; lateral stripe begins clearly on the snout and runs through the eye and gill cover and down the body (Ref. 13337). The lateral line tubules are closely outlined in black, giving the line a tubular appearance (Ref. 13337). Anterior barbel about eye diameter and posterior barbel a little longer (Ref. 13337).
Occurs in floodplains, pools and shallow streams with vegetation. Feeds on detritus, algae, seeds, small invertebrates (Ref. 7248) and aquatic insect larvae (Ref. 13337). Migrates upriver to breed after heavy rains (Ref. 13337).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Skelton, P.H., 2001. A complete guide to the freshwater fishes of southern Africa. Cape Town (South Africa): Struik Publishers, 395 p. (Ref. 52193)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
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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=0.01122 (0.00523 - 0.02406), b=3.01 (2.84 - 3.18), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.6 ±0.23 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
