| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae |
| Max. size: |
35.2 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: lower and middle Congo River (Ref. 26192) and Wagenia Falls (Ref. 106245) in Democratic Republic of the Congo; mainly found in rapids (Ref. 26192). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Vertebrae: 34-36. Lips with transverse plicae on inner surface; snout very prominent, ending in a big fleshy upwards turned transverse appendix; eyes extremely small, generally in dorsal position. Can be distinguished from L. nasus by its smaller eyes and higher vertebral and scale counts (Ref. 12456). |
| Biology: |
Known only from the rapids of the Congo River where it appears most adapted. Among its adaptations are the reduce diameter of the eyes; the dorso-laterally flattened shape of the head, the very large lips which are apparently adapted for suction; the latero-ventral arrangement and form of the paired fins which is largely extended and compressed ; and the blue or bluish coloration (Ref. 26192). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 16 February 2009 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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