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Labeo cylindricus Peters, 1852 Redeye labeo |
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photo by
Seegers, L. |
| Family: | Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae | |||
| Max. size: | 25 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 900.0 g | |||
| Environment: | benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range 30 - 30 m, potamodromous | |||
| Distribution: | Africa: within the drainage basins of the Zambezi, Limpopo, Incomati and Usutu-Pongolo Rivers (Ref. 1440). In the Congo Basin, its distribution is limited to the middle and upper regions (Ref. 26192). Also known from East African rivers and the region of the Cap; south through the Zambezi system (Ref. 7248, 52193) and in the Coroca and Cuanza rivers in Angola (Ref. 11970). | |||
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8; Vertebrae: 29-31. Diagnosis: Lips plicate; dorsal fin concave with 9 to 10 branched rays; eyes in superolateral position; genital orifice very far from origin of anal fin; body cylindrical, slightly elongated; snout truncate with deep transverse furrow and fleshy appendix directed upwards (Ref. 26192). Description: Body cylindrical; head with a prominent stepped snout, usually with rough star-shaped tubercles; mouth large; outer lips fleshy, inner rims with horny shaped edge, lower lip papillose; a single pair of barbels; gill openings restricted to sides of head (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 9-10 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays (Ref. 52193). Scales in lateral line 34-37, 12-16 around caudal peduncle; 5 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal fin (Ref. 52193). Colouration: Olive-to yellow-green with a darker body band, larger specimens usually darker olive grey; eye distinctively red above (Ref. 52193). Dark lateral band present in young fish only (Ref. 4967). |
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| Biology: | Shoaling species (Ref. 94784). Found in both sediment-free and sediment-rich rocky biotopes; favors clear, running waters in rocky habitats of small and large rivers, also found in lakes and dams over rocky areas (Ref. 5595, 52193). It feeds on diatoms and other small algae from the rocks (Ref. 5595), also on `aufwuchs' from the surface of rocks, tree trunks and other firm surfaces (Ref. 52193). Migrates upstream in masses to breed, using the mouth and broad pectoral fins to climb damp surfaces of barrier rocks and weirs (Ref. 7248, 52193). Some sources give a maximum length of 400 mm standard length (Ref. 2801) | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 June 2018 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||