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Assuan labeo (Labeo horie) — Cyprinidae

Assuan labeo

Labeo horie
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Assuan labeo (Labeo horie) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 57 cm.

Length
57 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Freshwater in Africa, including the Nile basin; rivers and lakes.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Nile labeo is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from the fresh waters of Africa, including the Nile basin. The species can grow to tens of centimetres and has a streamlined body with an inferior, fleshy sucker mouth with horny edges, with which it scrapes the growth layer from the bottom. It inhabits rivers and lakes, where as a bottom grazer it feeds on detritus, algae and small invertebrates. It is a valued food fish in its range. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Assuan labeo?

The Assuan labeo has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Fleshy sucker mouth with horny edges for scraping the bottom; food fish.

Where does the Assuan labeo live?

The Assuan labeo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Freshwater in Africa, including the Nile basin; rivers and lakes.

How big does the Assuan labeo get?

The Assuan labeo grows to a maximum of about 57 cm.

Is the Assuan labeo dangerous to humans?

No, the Assuan labeo is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Assuan labeo edible?

Yes, the Assuan labeo is commonly eaten.

More photos

Assuan labeo (Labeo horie) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) A. Geremew, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Assuan labeo (Labeo horie) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert; Loat, L. (Public domain)
Assuan labeo (Labeo horie) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) A. Geremew, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Assuan labeo (Labeo horie) — Cyprinidae — 5
Università degli Studi di Firenze (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MSNF-SPE
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Assuan labeo verified
Scientific name
Labeo horie
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
57.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Natural range
Freshwater in Africa, including the Nile basin; rivers and lakes. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Detritus, algae and small invertebrates 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
Fleshy sucker mouth with horny edges for scraping the bottom; food fish. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Labeo

More from the family Cyprinidae

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