Home · Kneriidae · Kneria
Kneria (Parakneria abbreviata) — Kneriidae

Kneria

Parakneria abbreviata
Family: Kneriidae
LC · Least Concern

The Kneria (Parakneria abbreviata) is a freshwater fish of the family Kneriidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The kneria is a small cyprinid-relative (Kneriidae) from southwestern Africa. The species is small and has an elongate, streamlined body with an inferior, sucking mouth. It inhabits fast-flowing, clear mountain streams with a rocky bottom, where it attaches to stones with its mouth to stay in place in the current. On and among the stones it rasps algae, diatoms and growth. 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.

Where does the Kneria live?

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

How big does the Kneria get?

The Kneria grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Kneria dangerous to humans?

No, the Kneria is harmless to humans.

Is the Kneria edible?

The 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
Korte kneria sourced
English name
Kneria sourced
Scientific name
Parakneria abbreviata
Family
Kneriidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.2 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Parakneria

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 →