| Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae |
| 7.244 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
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benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Africa: South Africa (widely distributed in the Eastern Cape Province, from the Kowie to the Buffalo river systems). |
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This species is distinguished by the following characters: lateral line usually complete (15-37 pored scales, mode 35); barbels are conspicuous, not surpassing the vertical through middle of eye; circumpeduncular scales (14-16, mode 14) (Ref. 124213).
Description: Description. Based on the holotype and 80 specimens from the Great Fish, Keiskamma and Buffalo river systems, the following characterize this species: body fusiform with body slightly compressed laterally; dorsal profile more convex than ventral profile from the tip of the snout to origin of dorsal fin; post dorsal profile generally straight and descending from origin of dorsal fin to caudal fin insertion; body depth greatest around the anterior bases of the dorsal and pelvic fins, tapering from posterior margin of dorsal fin base to base of caudal fin; head is relatively short, its length almost equal to body depth; snout short and bluntly rounded, its mouth small and terminal with a single pair of posterior barbels; barbels not surpassing the middle portion of the eye; eyes round and relatively large, situated dorsolaterally, nearer to the tip of the snout than the distal margin of the operculum; no tubercles; scales moderately large, radiately striated; lateral line usually complete (mode 35), with only 3 of the 81 specimens examined had lateral line with fewer than 15 pored scales; circumpendicular scales 12-16 (mode 16); pre-dorsal scale rows 14-16; scale rows between the origin of the dorsal fin and the lateral line 3-4 (mode 4); scale rows between the origin of the pelvic fin and the lateral line 3-4 (mode 4); scale rows between lateral line and anal fin origin 3-4 (mode 4); scales between posterior edge of head and dorsal fin are embedded and smaller than flank scales; dorsal fin almost in the centre of the body, with 3 unbranched and 7 branched rays; pectoral fins are fan-shaped, the posterior edges gently rounded, not reaching pelvic fin origin; pelvic fin with 8 rays, its origin slightly in front of dorsal fin origin, tip when adpressed does not reach anal fin origin; anal fin with 3 simple rays, 5 branched rays, its distal margin almost straight and origin closer to pelvic fin origin than to caudal fin base; caudal fin forked, its lobes gently rounded with moderately pointed tips. Colouration of live and fresh specimens metallic silvery, greenish or greyish above, with a more or less distinct yellow or golden tinge in males, more greyish in females; a black spot isoften present at the base of the caudal fin (Ref. 124213). |
| This species has been recorded in a wide range of habitats, from clear flowing mountain streams with rocky substrates to mainstem sections of rivers and man-made impoundments with high water turbidity and fine substrates. It is likely to be omnivorous, as reported for other congeners, feeding mainly on insects, zooplankton, seeds, green algae and diatoms (Ref.124213). |
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Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
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| harmless |
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