Home · Cyprinidae · Bigsnout labeo
Bigsnout labeo (Labeo nasus) — Cyprinidae

Bigsnout labeo

Labeo nasus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bigsnout labeo (Labeo nasus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Africa; Congo basin (Angola, DR Congo, Central African Republic); fast-flowing river habitats.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The bigsnout labeo is an African cyprinid from the Congo Basin in Central Africa. The species grows to about 19 cm and has a streamlined body with a conspicuously projecting snout and an inferior, sucker-like mouth with fleshy lips. It inhabits fast-flowing river habitats, where it clings to stones and scrapes algae, periphyton and detritus with its rasping suckermouth. Labeo species play a role in grazing growth in rivers. The species is eaten locally and is of limited fishery importance. The bigsnout labeo is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigsnout labeo?

The Bigsnout labeo has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Projecting snout and inferior sucking mouth to scrape biofilm from stones.

Where does the Bigsnout labeo live?

The Bigsnout labeo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Central Africa; Congo basin (Angola, DR Congo, Central African Republic); fast-flowing river habitats.

How big does the Bigsnout labeo get?

The Bigsnout labeo grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Bigsnout labeo dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bigsnout labeo edible?

The Bigsnout labeo is rarely eaten.

More photos

Bigsnout labeo (Labeo nasus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Fish and Benthos survey Chinko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bigsnout labeo (Labeo nasus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Fish and Benthos survey Chinko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bigsnout labeo sourced
Scientific name
Labeo nasus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 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
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Central Africa; Congo basin (Angola, DR Congo, Central African Republic); fast-flowing river habitats. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, periphyton and detritus 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
Projecting snout and inferior sucking mouth to scrape biofilm from stones. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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

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