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Cameroon labeo (Labeo camerunensis) — Cyprinidae

Cameroon labeo

Labeo camerunensis
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cameroon labeo (Labeo camerunensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
22.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West-Central Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Cameroon labeo is a cyprinid from west-central Africa, in drainages of Cameroon and surroundings. The species grows to about 23 cm and has a streamlined, dark body with an inferior, fleshy sucking mouth with which it scrapes algae and growth from stones and wood. It lives in rivers and streams. The fish is a local food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cameroon labeo?

The Cameroon labeo has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Inferior sucker mouth for scraping algae off stones

Where does the Cameroon labeo live?

The Cameroon labeo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West-Central Africa

How big does the Cameroon labeo get?

The Cameroon labeo grows to a maximum of about 23 cm.

Is the Cameroon labeo dangerous to humans?

No, the Cameroon labeo 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 Cameroon labeo edible?

Yes, the Cameroon labeo is commonly eaten.

More photos

Cameroon labeo (Labeo camerunensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cameroon labeo (Labeo camerunensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cameroon labeo (Labeo camerunensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Cameroon labeo (Labeo camerunensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) joe_cutler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Cameroon labeo verified
Scientific name
Labeo camerunensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
West-Central Africa verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and biofilm from stones and wood inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Algae-scraping river labeo; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Inferior sucker mouth for scraping algae off stones 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 Labeo

More from the family Cyprinidae

Fin

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