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Ningu (Labeo victorianus) — Cyprinidae

Ningu

Labeo victorianus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Ningu (Labeo victorianus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 41 cm.

Length
41 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–20.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The ningu is an African cyprinid (family Cyprinidae) of the Lake Victoria drainage in East Africa. The species grows to about 41 cm and has a streamlined, silvery-grey body with an inferior, sucker-like mouth and barbels. It is an anadromous species that ascends rivers and streams during floods to spawn in flooded pools and grasses along the banks. With its sucking mouth it scrapes algae, aufwuchs and detritus from stones and the bottom. The ningu is a prized food fish, but its stocks are vulnerable to overfishing and the spawning migration. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ningu?

The Ningu has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Ningu live?

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

How big does the Ningu get?

The Ningu grows to a maximum of about 41 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Ningu dangerous to humans?

No, the Ningu is harmless to humans.

Is the Ningu edible?

Yes, the Ningu is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ningu sourced
English name
Ningu verified
Scientific name
Labeo victorianus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Ningu; Victoria labeo verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.0 verified
Average length (cm)
30.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met plantaardig aas of deeg, vooral tijdens de paaitrek. sourced
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 Labeo

More from the family Cyprinidae

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