| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Torinae |
| Max. size: |
24.5 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 400.0 g |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
Africa: River Ruo and several of its tributaries above Zoa Falls in Malawi. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal soft rays: 8-9. Its dark olive dorsal surface and light golden ventral surface are sharply divided at the lower edge of the lateral line scale row. Its has relatively narrow mouth without barbels or with one pair of minute posterior barbels. The unbranched dorsal ray is flexible. |
| Biology: |
Occurs in fast flowing stretches of river and deeper pools. Common particularly in rocky pools. Feeds by scraping algae off rocks with its horny lower jaw. Varicorhinus xyrocheilus occurs sympatrically and syntopically with V. dimidiatus. |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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