| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae |
| Max. size: |
1.8 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: occurs in small coastal rivers in Benin and southern Nigeria (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639), also known from Cameroon (Ref. 81282, 81639) and Equatorial Guinea (Ref. 81639). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Diagnosis: single 8-shaped nostril on either side of head; absence of barbels, suborbital bones and lateral line; dorsal fin with 6 branched rays and well in front of anal fin (Ref. 81282, 81639).
Description: small species; big eyes (35-43% HL); scales cycloid, some with radiating streaks; no perforated scales on lateral line; 25-29 scales in longitudinal series; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; dorsal fin beginning distinctly behind level of pelvic-fin insertions; caudal fin forked; D:II,6; A:II-III, 5; P:10-11; V:I,5-7 (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639).
Coloration: translucid body, visceral mass shining through skin in life; black eyes; big black spot on caudal-fin base, caudal fin lobes red-orange at base; in preserved specimens, body whitish, with a fine, black midlateral band running from gill cover to caudal-fin base (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639). |
| Biology: |
Distinguished from small Barbus in sight by absence of barbels, absence of lateral line and 1 single nostril in form of 8 at each side of snout (Ref. 81282, 81639). Occurs throughout the lower forested coastal lowlands in small slow flowing rivers under forest cover (Ref. 2801). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 02 April 2019 (B2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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