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Dottedline barb (Enteromius punctitaeniatus) — Cyprinidae

Dottedline barb

Enteromius punctitaeniatus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
7.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
West Africa; rivers and streams.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Dottedline barb is a small African barb (Cyprinidae) from rivers, streams and pools of West Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body, often with a dark longitudinal stripe or spots, and short barbels. As a social schooling fish it swims in clear water and snaps at insect larvae, small invertebrates, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dottedline barb?

The Dottedline barb has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender little barb with a row of spots or a stripe along the flank and short barbels.

Where does the Dottedline barb live?

The Dottedline barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. West Africa; rivers and streams.

How big does the Dottedline barb get?

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

Is the Dottedline barb dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Dottedline barb edible?

The Dottedline barb is not usually eaten.

More photos

Dottedline barb (Enteromius punctitaeniatus) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Jonathan (Jon) Armbruster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Dottedline barb (Enteromius punctitaeniatus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Dottedline barb (Enteromius punctitaeniatus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) H.Grenier, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dottedline barb (Enteromius punctitaeniatus) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Gina Walsh, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Dottedline barb sourced
Scientific name
Enteromius punctitaeniatus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
West Africa; rivers and streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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
Slender little barb with a row of spots or a stripe along the flank and short barbels. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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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