Home · Cyprinidae · Jackson's barb
Jackson's barb (Enteromius jacksoni) — Cyprinidae

Jackson's barb

Enteromius jacksoni
Family: Cyprinidae

The Jackson's barb (Enteromius jacksoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Jackson's barb is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of East Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body, sometimes with dark spots or a longitudinal stripe, and small barbels. As a schooling fish it swims in clear rivers, streams and pools and snaps at insect larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Jackson's barb?

The Jackson's barb has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Jackson's barb live?

The Jackson's barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Jackson's barb get?

The Jackson's barb grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Jackson's barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Jackson's barb is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Jacksons barbeel sourced
English name
Jackson's barb sourced
Scientific name
Enteromius jacksoni
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Jackson's barb verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Enteromius

More from the family Cyprinidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →