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Tana barb (Labeobarbus tsanensis) — Cyprinidae

Tana barb

Labeobarbus tsanensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Tana barb (Labeobarbus tsanensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 39 cm.

Length
39.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Tana barb is a large African barb (Cyprinidae) from rivers and lakes of Lake Tana in Ethiopia in East 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 Tana barb?

The Tana barb has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Tana barb live?

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

How big does the Tana barb get?

The Tana barb grows to a maximum of about 39 cm.

Is the Tana barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Tana barb is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Tana-grootbarbeel sourced
English name
Tana barb sourced
Scientific name
Labeobarbus tsanensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
39.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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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