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African carplet (Raiamas salmolucius) — Cyprinidae

African carplet

Raiamas salmolucius
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The African carplet (Raiamas salmolucius) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; rivers over sandy bottoms.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The African carplet is a fast cyprinid relative (Danionidae) from clear, flowing rivers of Central Africa. The species grows to about 25 cm and has an elongate, silvery, torpedo-shaped body with dark flank blotches and a large, toothed mouth. As a darting predator of open water it shoots at small fish, shrimp and insects. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the African carplet?

The African carplet has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Elongate predatory body with a large mouth; cyprinid that lives as an active hunter.

Where does the African carplet live?

The African carplet lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Central Africa; rivers over sandy bottoms.

How big does the African carplet get?

The African carplet grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the African carplet dangerous to humans?

No, the African carplet is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the African carplet edible?

The African carplet is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
African carplet sourced
Scientific name
Raiamas salmolucius
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Central Africa; rivers over sandy bottoms. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and insects sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Elongate predatory body with a large mouth; cyprinid that lives as an active hunter. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling with lures or (dead/live) baitfish by trolling, casting or drift fishing in open water. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Raiamas

More from the family Cyprinidae

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