| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae |
| Max. size: |
12 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: known only from some caves near Mbanza-Ngungu (lower Congo River basin), Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 86866). |
| Diagnosis: |
Description: eyes not visible though present, deeply embedded in head, without lens and only a rudimentary retina and optical nerve; pigmentation absent and considered a true albino; lateral vein creates a vivid red band along lateral line; gills visible below operculum as a purplish region; intestinal region visible through abdomen (Ref. 86866). Populations from affluents of the Kokosi River (Kwilu system) with opercular guanine spot which may cover 1/3 of operculum, in addition to a few other guanine spots and marks; this spot is absent in all other populations (affluents of Fuma River); within one cave the population has a serrated dorsal spine, which was not found in all other populations examined by Heuts (1951) (Ref. 86866). |
| Biology: |
Blind fish which lives in caves (Ref. 86866), about (700)750-850 m above sea-level (Ref. 2801, 86866). Feeds on small crustaceans living in the caves and also on animals washed into the caves (Ref. 557), although this needs confirmation (Ref. 86866). Estimated longevity 9-14 years, but may exceed 15 years (Ref. 86866). Not closely related to any extant epigean species of the Congo region. Classified as `textbook and popular press fish' in Ref. 4537. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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