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Cuanza yellowfish (Labeobarbus ensifer) — Cyprinidae

Cuanza yellowfish

Labeobarbus ensifer
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Cuanza yellowfish (Labeobarbus ensifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
19.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Angola
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Cuanza yellowfish is a cyprinid barb endemic to the Cuanza basin in Angola. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with barbels and a forked tail, characteristic of the large African barbs. It lives in flowing fresh water and feeds omnivorously on algae, detritus and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and of no notable fisheries interest. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuanza yellowfish?

The Cuanza yellowfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Streamlined African barb with whisker-like barbels

Where does the Cuanza yellowfish live?

The Cuanza yellowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Angola

How big does the Cuanza yellowfish get?

The Cuanza yellowfish grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Cuanza yellowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuanza 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 Cuanza yellowfish edible?

The Cuanza yellowfish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Cuanza yellowfish (Labeobarbus ensifer) — Cyprinidae — 2
The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Cuanza yellowfish (Labeobarbus ensifer) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Cuanza yellowfish verified
Scientific name
Labeobarbus ensifer
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Angola verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, detritus and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
River fish; spawns in the rainy season. sourced
Special features
Streamlined African barb with whisker-like barbels 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
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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