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Dhont's labeo (Labeo dhonti) — Cyprinidae

Dhont's labeo

Labeo dhonti
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Dhont's labeo (Labeo dhonti) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lake Tanganyika
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

Dhont's labeo is a cyprinid from Central Africa, in Lake Tanganyika and surrounding rivers. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a streamlined, dark body with an inferior, fleshy sucking mouth with which it scrapes algae and growth from stones. It lives in the rocky shore zone and flowing waters. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dhont's labeo?

The Dhont's 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 Dhont's labeo live?

The Dhont's labeo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lake Tanganyika

How big does the Dhont's labeo get?

The Dhont's labeo grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Dhont's labeo dangerous to humans?

No, the Dhont's 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 Dhont's labeo edible?

The Dhont's labeo is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Dhont's labeo verified
Scientific name
Labeo dhonti
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.5 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
Lake Tanganyika verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

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