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Luja's barb (Enteromius lujae) — Cyprinidae

Luja's barb

Enteromius lujae
Family: Cyprinidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Luja's barb (Enteromius lujae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Luja's barb is a minute African minnow from fresh water of the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species reaches only about 4 cm and has a slender, elongate, silvery body with fine markings and barbels. It swims in small groups in clear forest streams and feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Luja's barb?

The Luja's barb has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Luja's barb live?

The Luja's barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Luja's barb get?

The Luja's barb grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Luja's barb dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Luja's barb edible?

The Luja's barb is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Luja's barbeel verified
English name
Luja's barb verified
Scientific name
Enteromius lujae
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
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
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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