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Uluguru shellear (Kneria uluguru) — Kneriidae

Uluguru shellear

Kneria uluguru
Family: Kneriidae

The Uluguru shellear (Kneria uluguru) is a freshwater fish of the family Kneriidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Tanzania

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Description

The Uluguru shellear is a small freshwater fish (Kneriidae) from fast-flowing mountain streams of the Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania, East Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, elongate, brownish body with an inferior mouth; males have a conspicuous disc-shaped organ on the gill cover. As a bottom-dweller it lives among stones of clear streams and rasps algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Uluguru shellear?

The Uluguru shellear has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Uluguru shellear live?

The Uluguru shellear lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Tanzania

How big does the Uluguru shellear get?

The Uluguru shellear grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Uluguru shellear dangerous to humans?

No, the Uluguru shellear is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Uluguru shellear (Kneria uluguru) — Kneriidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Grimm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Uluguru shellear sourced
Scientific name
Kneria uluguru
Family
Kneriidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Africa: Tanzania sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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