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Cunene kneria (Kneria maydelli) — Kneriidae

Cunene kneria

Kneria maydelli
Family: Kneriidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cunene kneria (Kneria maydelli) is a freshwater fish of the family Kneriidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cunene river basin
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Cunene kneria is a small freshwater fish from the Cunene basin in southwestern Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, streamlined body. Adult males have a conspicuous, disc-shaped organ on the gill cover whose function lies in courtship. It lives in clear, flowing streams and headwaters and feeds on algae, diatoms and small bottom material. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cunene kneria?

The Cunene kneria has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Males with a disc-shaped opercular organ for courtship

Where does the Cunene kneria live?

The Cunene kneria lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Cunene river basin

How big does the Cunene kneria get?

The Cunene kneria grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Cunene kneria dangerous to humans?

No, the Cunene kneria is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Cunene kneria edible?

The Cunene kneria is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Cunene kneria verified
Scientific name
Kneria maydelli
Family
Kneriidae
Other names
Kunene kneria verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.7 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Cunene river basin verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, diatoms and fine bottom material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Small stream-dwelling kneria; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Males with a disc-shaped opercular organ for courtship sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Kneria

More from the family Kneriidae

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