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Broadstriped barb (Enteromius annectens) — Cyprinidae

Broadstriped barb

Enteromius annectens
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Broadstriped barb (Enteromius annectens) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Africa; east coast rivers from the Zambezi system to KwaZulu-Natal.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The connecting barb is a small cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae from the fresh waters of Africa. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, silvery body. It inhabits both small streams and larger river systems, with or without water plants, but prefers slow-flowing, vegetated streams. It forms shoals and undertakes seasonal movements upstream into tributaries. As an omnivore it forages on small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Broadstriped barb?

The Broadstriped barb has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Schooling barb that makes seasonal migrations upstream into side streams.

Where does the Broadstriped barb live?

The Broadstriped barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern Africa; east coast rivers from the Zambezi system to KwaZulu-Natal.

How big does the Broadstriped barb get?

The Broadstriped barb grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Broadstriped barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Broadstriped barb is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Broadstriped barb edible?

The Broadstriped barb is rarely eaten.

More photos

Broadstriped barb (Enteromius annectens) — Cyprinidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Broadstriped barb (Enteromius annectens) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) thepigeongirl, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Broadstriped barb (Enteromius annectens) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Anthony Kaschula, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Broadstriped barb (Enteromius annectens) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Anthony Kaschula, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Broadstriped barb verified
Scientific name
Enteromius annectens
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Broadstriped barb verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
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
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southern Africa; east coast rivers from the Zambezi system to KwaZulu-Natal. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Large 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
Schooling barb that makes seasonal migrations upstream into side streams. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 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 Enteromius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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