Home · Cyprinidae · False Toppin's barb
False Toppin's barb (Enteromius pseudotoppini) — Cyprinidae

False Toppin's barb

Enteromius pseudotoppini
Family: Cyprinidae
VU · Vulnerable

The False Toppin's barb (Enteromius pseudotoppini) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The false Toppin's barb is a small African barb (Cyprinidae) from East Africa. The species is small and silvery with short barbels at the mouth; it closely resembles a related species, hence the name. It lives in schools in streams and small rivers, mainly near the bottom. As an omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus. Owing to a limited range it is considered vulnerable. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the False Toppin's barb?

The False Toppin's barb has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the False Toppin's barb live?

The False Toppin's barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the False Toppin's barb get?

The False Toppin's barb grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the False Toppin's barb dangerous to humans?

No, the False Toppin's barb is harmless to humans.

Is the False Toppin's barb edible?

The False Toppin's barb is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schijn-toppini-barbeel sourced
English name
False Toppin's barb sourced
Scientific name
Enteromius pseudotoppini
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 sourced

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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