Enteromius radiatus (Peters, 1853)
Redeye barb
Enteromius radiatus
photo by Gratwicke, B.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  12 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Aswa River in Uganda southwards along the whole coast of East Africa up to the Limpopo, Inkomati and Umbelezi River systems in Transvaal, South Africa (Ref. 27292). To the west found in the upper Congo drainage including the Malagarazi system and Lakes Bangweulu and Mweru, the whole Zambezi system including the Okavango, and as far as the Cuanza and Cunene Rivers in Angola and the upper Kasaï in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Ref. 27292) and Angola (Ref. 11970).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-12; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Diagnosis: Pit lines on top of head and on cheeks are a distinctive feature (Ref. 52193).

Description: Mouth with two pairs of very short barbels (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 8-9 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5-6 branched rays (Ref. 11970, 52193). Scales in lateral line 24-29, 12 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Silvery, usually with a straight continuous black band from snout to caudal fin base; dorsal and caudal fins rose red with sooty black edges; eye bright red above (Ref. 52193, 122753).

Biology:  Prefers marshes and marginal vegetation of streams, rivers and lakes; active in subdued light and at night (Ref. 7248, 52193). It feeds on invertebrates (Ref. 5595).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 December 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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