Labeobarbus nelspruitensis (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1911)
Incomati chiselmouth

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Torinae
Max. size:  32 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: escarpment streams of the Incomati in Mozambique and Phongolo systems in South Africa (Ref. 2801, 52193).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Head broad, convex; mouth wide, inferior, with a straight, horny-edged lower jaw and a single pair of short, flattened barbels (Ref. 52193). Both sexes develop small white tubercles on head, especially on cheeks and snout, scales and anal fin (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 4 unbranched and 8-9 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays; primary dorsal-fin ray flexible; dorsal fin origin in advance of origin of pelvic fins (Ref. 52193). Scales longitudinally striated; 35-41 scales in lateral line, 13-16 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Dark olive above, light olive yellow to creamy white below (Ref. 52193).

Biology:  Found in cool rocky flowing-water habitats; occurs in schools of up to 50-100 fishes (Ref. 52193). It scrapes `aufwuchs' and benthic invertebrates from rocks (Ref. 52193). Breeds in summer (Ref. 7248, 52193). Occasionally caught by anglers (Ref. 52193).
IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 06 December 2016 (B1b(iii,iv)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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