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Clanwilliam yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) — Cyprinidae

Clanwilliam yellowfish

Labeobarbus aeneus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Clanwilliam yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Clanwilliam yellowfish is a large cyprinid from fresh water of southern Africa, including the Orange-Vaal basin. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a streamlined, golden-yellow to silvery body with large scales and barbels. As a bottom-feeder it lives in rivers, lakes and reservoirs and feeds on invertebrates, algae, plant matter and detritus. It is a valued sport and food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Clanwilliam yellowfish?

The Clanwilliam yellowfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a plain pattern. Large scales and barbels; bottom-foraging large-scaled barbel

Where does the Clanwilliam yellowfish live?

The Clanwilliam yellowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern Africa

How big does the Clanwilliam yellowfish get?

The Clanwilliam yellowfish grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Clanwilliam yellowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Clanwilliam yellowfish 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 Clanwilliam yellowfish edible?

Yes, the Clanwilliam yellowfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Clanwilliam yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) — Cyprinidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Clanwilliam yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Richard Gill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Clanwilliam yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Richard Gill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Clanwilliam yellowfish (Labeobarbus aeneus) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Clanwilliam yellowfish verified
Scientific name
Labeobarbus aeneus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Smallmouth yellowfish; Vaal-Orange smallmouth yellowfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Southern Africa verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae, plant material and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
12.0 verified
Seasonality
Bottom-foraging river barbel; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Large scales and barbels; bottom-foraging large-scaled barbel sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Angling and nets sourced
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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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