| Family: |
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae |
| Max. size: |
10 cm SL (male/unsexed); 12 cm SL (female); max. reported age: 2 years |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish |
| Distribution: |
Africa: Widely distributed from Limpopo to upland KwaZulu-Natal, Transkei and the middle and upper Orange basin, including the Karoo (Ref. 7248, 52193). Absent from the lower Orange; present in larger coastal rivers of the Eastern and Western Cape (Olifants, Gourits, Gamtoos, Sundays and Great Fish) but absent from Cape fold mountain streams (Ref. 52193). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Head typically blunt or rounded; mouth small, usually with single pair of short barbels (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 7 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays; primary dorsal ray simple, flexible (Ref. 52193). Scales with numerous radial striations, 33-37 in lateral line series (Ref. 52193). Colouration: Females and non-breeding males greyish green above with a small dot at mid-base of caudal fin; males sometimes have a broad dark band along body (Ref. 52193). |
| Biology: |
Prefers cooler waters (Ref. 52193), occurring in small groups and shoals, in various habitats from small streams to large rivers and lakes (Ref. 52193). Frequently associates with cover or shelter such as fallen logs, brushwood or marginal vegetation (Ref. 52193). It feeds on insects, zooplankton, seeds, green algae and diatoms. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Breeds during summer when rivers are swollen after rain and lays adhesive eggs amongst vegetation. Is preyed upon by larger fishes and birds (Ref. 7248 & 5214). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
