Home · Kneriidae · Cunene kneria
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
Edibility
Not eaten

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.

Where does the Cunene kneria live?

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

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.

Is the Cunene kneria edible?

The Cunene kneria is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cunene-kneria verified
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
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Kneria

More from the family Kneriidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →