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Kneria (Kneria rukwaensis) — Kneriidae

Kneria

Kneria rukwaensis
Family: Kneriidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
6.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Africa; pools and moderately flowing streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The kneria is a small gonorynchiform fish (Kneriidae), related to the milkfish, from East Africa. The species is small and has an elongate, streamlined body with an inferior, sucking mouth. It keeps mainly in stagnant pools and moderately flowing stream sections. On and among the stones it rasps algae, diatoms and growth with its sucking mouth. It is a prey fish for larger fishes and water birds. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kneria?

The Kneria has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Inferior sucker mouth for rasping algae off stones; small East African stream fish.

Where does the Kneria live?

The Kneria lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. East Africa; pools and moderately flowing streams.

How big does the Kneria get?

The Kneria grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Kneria dangerous to humans?

No, the Kneria is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Kneria edible?

The Kneria is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Kneria sourced
Scientific name
Kneria rukwaensis
Family
Kneriidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
East Africa; pools and moderately flowing streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, diatoms and biofilm, rasped from stones sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Inferior sucker mouth for rasping algae off stones; small East African stream fish. 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
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

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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