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Mucise (Labeo congoro) — Cyprinidae

Mucise

Labeo congoro
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Mucise (Labeo congoro) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 42 cm.

Length
41.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The purple labeo (Labeo congoro) is an African cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae from the Zambezi system and rivers of eastern Africa. The species has a streamlined, dark purplish-grey body with a ventral, sucker-like mouth with fleshy lips, and reaches about 41 cm. It lives in strong-flowing, rocky stretches of larger perennial rivers. With its rasping mouth it grazes algae and aufwuchs from rocks and hard surfaces, including even the backs of hippos, on which it leaves characteristic scraping tracks. The species undertakes spawning migrations and is locally a valued food and angling fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mucise?

The Mucise has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Mucise live?

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

How big does the Mucise get?

The Mucise grows to a maximum of about 42 cm.

Is the Mucise dangerous to humans?

No, the Mucise is harmless to humans.

Is the Mucise edible?

Yes, the Mucise is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Paarse labeo sourced
English name
Mucise verified
Scientific name
Labeo congoro
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Mutuba; Perslyf-moddervis; Purple labeo verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
41.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Labeo

More from the family Cyprinidae

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