Home · Cyprinidae · Moggel
Moggel (Labeo umbratus) — Cyprinidae

Moggel

Labeo umbratus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Moggel (Labeo umbratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 50 cm.

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

Description

The moggel is a large cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of southern Africa, notably the Orange River and South African drainages. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a streamlined, dark body with an inferior, sucking mouth with fleshy lips. As a bottom-oriented detritus and algae feeder it sucks organic silt, algae and growth from the bottom in lakes, dams and slow rivers. It is a local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Moggel?

The Moggel has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Moggel live?

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

How big does the Moggel get?

The Moggel grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Moggel dangerous to humans?

No, the Moggel is harmless to humans.

Is the Moggel edible?

Yes, the Moggel is commonly eaten.

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
Moggel sourced
English name
Moggel sourced
Scientific name
Labeo umbratus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Moggel verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →