Home · Cyprinidae · Bates's barb
Bates's barb (Labeobarbus batesii) — Cyprinidae

Bates's barb

Labeobarbus batesii
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bates's barb (Labeobarbus batesii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 44 cm.

Length
43.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Freshwater of West and Central Africa, including Cameroon.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Bates's barb?

Get the app

Description

Bates's barb is a large African freshwater fish of the carp family (Cyprinidae) from West and Central Africa. The species grows to about 43 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large scales, fleshy lips and barbels with which it probes the substrate. It inhabits rivers and streams and feeds on a wide range of food, including aquatic insects, plant matter and detritus. Owing to its size it is a valued food fish within its range. The species lives in small groups and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bates's barb?

The Bates's barb has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large African barbel with fleshy lips and barbels.

Where does the Bates's barb live?

The Bates's barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Freshwater of West and Central Africa, including Cameroon.

How big does the Bates's barb get?

The Bates's barb grows to a maximum of about 44 cm.

Is the Bates's barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Bates's barb 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.

Is the Bates's barb edible?

Yes, the Bates's barb is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bates's barb (Labeobarbus batesii) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bates's barb (Labeobarbus batesii) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — J. Green (Public domain)
Bates's barb (Labeobarbus batesii) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bates's barb (Labeobarbus batesii) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bates's barb?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bates's barb is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bates's barb sourced
Scientific name
Labeobarbus batesii
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
43.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Freshwater of West and Central Africa, including Cameroon. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Aquatic insects, plant material and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Spawns in the rainy season as the water rises. inferred
Special features
Large African barbel with fleshy lips and barbels. 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
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 Labeobarbus

Labeobarbus ansorgii — Cyprinidae
Labeobarbus ansorgii
Labeobarbus ansorgii
Cyprinidae
 Axelrod's yellowfish (Labeobarbus axelrodi) — Cyprinidae
Axelrod's yellowfish
Labeobarbus axelrodi
Cyprinidae
 Tanganyika yellowfish (Labeobarbus caudovittatus) — Cyprinidae
Tanganyika yellowfish
Labeobarbus caudovittatus
Cyprinidae
 African scraping feeder (Labeobarbus beso) — Cyprinidae
African scraping feeder
Labeobarbus beso
Cyprinidae
 Labeobarbus boulengeri — Cyprinidae
Labeobarbus boulengeri
Labeobarbus boulengeri
Cyprinidae
 Upper Zambezi yellowfish (Labeobarbus codringtonii) — Cyprinidae
Upper Zambezi yellowfish
Labeobarbus codringtonii
Cyprinidae

More from the family Cyprinidae

Aboine barb (Enteromius aboinensis) — Cyprinidae
Aboine barb
Enteromius aboinensis
Cyprinidae
 Eightbarbel gudgeon (Gobiobotia pappenheimi) — Cyprinidae
Eightbarbel gudgeon
Gobiobotia pappenheimi
Cyprinidae
 Eightband false barb (Eirmotus octozona) — Cyprinidae
Eightband false barb
Eirmotus octozona
Cyprinidae
 African banded barb (Enteromius fasciolatus) — Cyprinidae
African banded barb
Enteromius fasciolatus
Cyprinidae
 African carp (Labeo coubie) — Cyprinidae
African carp (Labeo coubie)
Cyprinidae
 African carplet (Raiamas salmolucius) — Cyprinidae
African carplet
Raiamas salmolucius
Cyprinidae
 Modest minnow (Leptocypris modestus) — Cyprinidae
Modest minnow
Leptocypris modestus
Cyprinidae
 Dembea garra (Garra dembeensis) — Cyprinidae
Dembea garra
Garra dembeensis
Cyprinidae
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bates's barb?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bates's barb is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bates's barb? Get the app