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Humble barb (Enteromius humilis) — Cyprinidae

Humble barb

Enteromius humilis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Humble barb (Enteromius humilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

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

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Humble barb?

The Humble barb has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Humble barb live?

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

How big does the Humble barb get?

The Humble barb grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Humble barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Humble barb is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Nederige barbeel sourced
English name
Humble barb sourced
Scientific name
Enteromius humilis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 verified
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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