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Guinea barb (Enteromius guineensis) — Cyprinidae

Guinea barb

Enteromius guineensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Guinea barb (Enteromius guineensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Guinea barb is a small African barb (Cyprinidae) from rivers, streams and pools of West Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body, often with a dark longitudinal stripe or spots, and short barbels. As a social schooling fish it swims in clear water and snaps at insect larvae, small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Guinea barb?

The Guinea barb has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Guinea barb live?

The Guinea barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Guinea barb get?

The Guinea barb grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Guinea barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Guinea barb is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Guinese barbeel sourced
English name
Guinea barb sourced
Scientific name
Enteromius guineensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Enteromius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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