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Bigmouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus megastoma) — Cyprinidae

Bigmouth yellowfish

Labeobarbus megastoma
Family: Cyprinidae

The Bigmouth yellowfish (Labeobarbus megastoma) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 82 cm.

Length
82.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bigmouth yellowfish is a large African barb or yellowfish (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of East Africa. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, silvery to yellow-brown body with large scales and barbels. As a powerful bottom-oriented fish it lives in flowing rivers and lakes and eats algae, water plants, insects, molluscs and small animals. It is a valued sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bigmouth yellowfish?

The Bigmouth yellowfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bigmouth yellowfish live?

The Bigmouth yellowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Bigmouth yellowfish get?

The Bigmouth yellowfish grows to a maximum of about 82 cm.

Is the Bigmouth yellowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bigmouth yellowfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grootbek-geelvis sourced
English name
Bigmouth yellowfish sourced
Scientific name
Labeobarbus megastoma
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
82.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes 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 Labeobarbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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