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Pointed labeo (Labeo sorex) — Cyprinidae

Pointed labeo

Labeo sorex
Family: Cyprinidae

The Pointed labeo (Labeo sorex) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pointed labeo is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of the Congo and Zambezi systems in Central and southern Africa. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, grey-brown body with an inferior, sucking mouth with fleshy, folded lips with which it rasps growth from surfaces. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives in rivers and lakes and eats algae, biofilm, plant material and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pointed labeo?

The Pointed labeo has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Pointed labeo live?

The Pointed labeo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Pointed labeo get?

The Pointed labeo grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Pointed labeo dangerous to humans?

No, the Pointed labeo is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Spits-labeo sourced
English name
Pointed labeo sourced
Scientific name
Labeo sorex
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 verified

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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