Enteromius toppini (Boulenger, 1916)
East Coast barb
Enteromius toppini
photo by Seegers, L.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  4 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7 - 7, potamodromous
Distribution:  Africa: Mkuze, Pongolo, Incomati and Umbelezi Rivers northwards along the east coast to Lake Chilwa in Malawi (Ref. 2801). Also in Ruaha, Tanzania (Ref. 7248, 52193) and Zimbabwe (Ref. 13337).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Mouth small, with a single pair of minute barbels (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays (Ref. 52193). Scales in lateral series 27-30, lateral line pores on first 8-13 scales only; 12 scales around caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Translucent olive above, flanks silvery, white below; an irregular black stripe from tip of snout to base of mid-caudal rays, broader and more clearly marked in males (Ref. 52193).

Biology:  Found in shallow, well-vegetated streams and pans (Ref. 52193). It feeds on small aquatic organisms (Ref. 52193). Breeds in summer, possibly migrating to spawning sites (Ref. 7248, 52193).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 19 July 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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