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Enteromius kerstenii (Peters, 1868) Redspot barb |
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photo by
Katemo Manda, B. |
| Family: | Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae | |||
| Max. size: | 9 cm SL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.5 - 7.5; dH range: 18, | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: Cunene, Okavango, upper Zambezi, tributaries of the lower Zambezi, Save-Runde (Ref. 7248, 52193), Pungwe, Buzi (Ref. 94654) and Kafue (Ref. 12524) systems. Also Lake Victoria, Tanganyika, Edward and Kivu basins (Ref. 104790), Lake Malawi system (Ref. 37112), the upper Congo system (Ref. 2970, 27609, 95585) and coastal river basins in Kenya (Ref. 52331) and Tanzania (Ref. 41366). | |||
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Diagnosis: Last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin hardened and with posterior side toothed (Ref. 27628). Presence of a brilliant orange spot on the operculum is characteristic for this species (Ref. 27628). Description: Fairly deep-bodied; mouth with 2 pairs of barbels (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 7-8 soft branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays (Ref. 27628, 52193). Scales in lateral line 23-28, 11-12 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 27628, 52193). Colouration: Light brown above, silvery on the sides and below; a bright yellow, orange or red spot on each gill cover; lateral line pores are marked with black chevrons; a black zigzag stripe ending in a spot at end of caudal peduncle is usually present (Ref. 52193). |
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| Biology: | Quick, active fish found in shoals (Ref. 36900). Found in lakes and rivers (Ref. 104790), including fast flowing, sluggish and temporary streams (Ref. 4903, 13721); also in mountain streams and along vegetated fringes of large rivers (Ref. 7248, 52193) and in rocky bottom environments (Ref. 13337). Feeds on insects (Ref. 12523, 36900), debris, molluscs, plant material (Ref. 12523), seeds and algae (Ref. 97924). Migrates upstream when rain comes (Ref. 36900). Breeds in flood plains during rains (Ref. 97924). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 May 2018 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||