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Moco barb (Enteromius mocoensis) — Cyprinidae

Moco barb

Enteromius mocoensis
Family: Cyprinidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Moco barb (Enteromius mocoensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Moco barb is a small cyprinid barb from Angola, known from the Cuvo system and the Okavango drainage, with unconfirmed reports from the Congo basin. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a streamlined, silver-grey body characteristic of the African barbs. It lives in schools in fresh water and feeds omnivorously on algae, detritus and small invertebrates. Owing to insufficient data the IUCN lists the species as Data Deficient (DD). It is harmless to humans and of no fisheries interest.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Moco barb?

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

Where does the Moco barb live?

The Moco barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Moco barb get?

The Moco barb grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Moco barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Moco barb is harmless to humans.

Is the Moco barb edible?

The Moco barb is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Moco-barbeel verified
English name
Moco barb verified
Scientific name
Enteromius mocoensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.2 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 inferred
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling 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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