Morphology Data of Labeo coubie
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Lévêque, C., 2003
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs no special organs
Different appearance males alike females
Different colors different colors in juveniles and adults
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features striking type of mouth
Body shape lateral fusiform / normal
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile clearly concave
Type of eyes more or less normal
Type of mouth/snout more or less normal
Position of mouth sub-terminal/inferior
Type of scales cycloid scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: dorsal profile straight to slightly arched; body dark and dull; rostral lobe poorly developed, its free margin smooth (Ref. 2940, 81282). Distal margin of dorsal fin straight or convex; inner surface of lips with 4-10 transverse folds or costae (Ref. 2940, 28714, 81282). Inferior mouth with well-developed lips forming a sucker-like ring enclosing the jaws; snout typically swollen, as long as or much longer than the postocular part of the head (Ref. 28714). Body not cylindriform, its depth 27-39% of SL (Ref. 28714) or 2.3-3.3 times in SL (Ref. 2940, 81282). Depth of caudal peduncle 0.7-1.3x its length; 26-46 (50-150mm) and 37-47 (150-250mm) gill rakers; scale formula 5.5-7.5/36-40/6.5-7.5; 4.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 16 (18) scales around caudal peduncle (Ref. 2940, 81282). 11-14 dorsal fin branched rays (Ref. 2940, 28714, 81282).

Description: large species; mouth inferior with small posterior barbel at corner of mouth, anterior barbel visible in young, but disappearing with age; distal margin of dorsal fin straight or convex (Ref. 2940, 26190, 81282), some forms with strongly rounded dorsal fin were described as L. pseudocoubie; D:IV,12-15; A:III,5; P:17-19; V:9 (Ref. 2940, 81282). Eyes in superolateral position (Ref. 26190).

Coloration: general appearance dark; back and sides greyish-blue to blackish-maux; belly light; fins blackish or slate-colored; scales on sides bluish-black with mauve or red centre; juveniles grey with scale rows separated by dark, undulate longitudinal lines; a large, round blotch on caudal peduncle (Ref. 2940, 81282).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Labeo coubie

Lateral Lines 1 Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line 36 - 40
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line 5 - 8
Scale rows below lateral line 4 - 8
Scales around caudal peduncle 16 - 20
Barbels 0
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total 26 - 47
Vertebrae
preanal
total 31 - 33

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes no striking attributes
Fins number 1
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total
Soft-rays total 15 - 19
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes forked; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number 1
Spines total
Soft-rays total 8 - 11

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     0
Soft-rays   17 - 19
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  behind origin of D1
Spines     0
Soft-rays   9 - 9
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