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Ruwenzori barb (Labeobarbus ruwenzorii) — Cyprinidae

Ruwenzori barb

Labeobarbus ruwenzorii
Family: Cyprinidae

The Ruwenzori barb (Labeobarbus ruwenzorii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ruwenzori barb is a large African barb (Cyprinidae) from rivers and lakes of the Ruwenzori Mountains in Central Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a robust, elongate, silvery body with large scales and two pairs of barbels by the mouth. As a social omnivore it swims in schools and eats algae, water plants, insect larvae, molluscs and detritus. It is locally an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ruwenzori barb?

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

Where does the Ruwenzori barb live?

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

How big does the Ruwenzori barb get?

The Ruwenzori barb grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Ruwenzori barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Ruwenzori barb is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ruwenzori-grootbarbeel sourced
English name
Ruwenzori barb sourced
Scientific name
Labeobarbus ruwenzorii
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
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
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. 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 Labeobarbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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