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Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > Smiliogastrinae
Etymology: Enteromius: Greek, enteron = intestine + Greek, myo, mys = muscle (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Weber.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic. Subtropical; 5°C - 22°C; 23°S - 33°S
Africa: Widely distributed from Limpopo to upland KwaZulu-Natal, Transkei and the middle and upper Orange basin, including the Karoo (Ref. 7248, 52193). Absent from the lower Orange; present in larger coastal rivers of the Eastern and Western Cape (Olifants, Gourits, Gamtoos, Sundays and Great Fish) but absent from Cape fold mountain streams (Ref. 52193).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?, range 4 - ? cm
Max length : 10.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 52193); 12.0 cm SL (female); max. reported age: 2.00 years (Ref. 7248)
Prefers cooler waters (Ref. 52193), occurring in small groups and shoals, in various habitats from small streams to large rivers and lakes (Ref. 52193). Frequently associates with cover or shelter such as fallen logs, brushwood or marginal vegetation (Ref. 52193). It feeds on insects, zooplankton, seeds, green algae and diatoms. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Breeds during summer when rivers are swollen after rain and lays adhesive eggs amongst vegetation. Is preyed upon by larger fishes and birds (Ref. 7248 & 5214).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous (Ref. 205). Distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205).
Skelton, P.H., 1993. A complete guide to the freshwater fishes of southern Africa. Southern Book Publishers. 388 p. (Ref. 7248)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; 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=0.01072 (0.00612 - 0.01875), b=3.01 (2.86 - 3.16), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this species & Genus-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.7 ±0.27 se; based on food items.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tm=1; tmax=2).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).