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Maloti minnow (Pseudobarbus quathlambae) — Cyprinidae

Maloti minnow

Pseudobarbus quathlambae
Family: Cyprinidae

The Maloti minnow (Pseudobarbus quathlambae) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Lesotho

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Description

The Maloti minnow is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear, flowing mountain streams of the Maloti Mountains of Lesotho. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, elongate body that develops red or orange fins in the breeding season, and two pairs of small barbels. As a social fish it swims in schools and eats insect larvae, small invertebrates and algae. Through introduced predators and habitat loss many of these species are threatened. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Maloti minnow?

The Maloti minnow has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Maloti minnow live?

The Maloti minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Africa: Lesotho

How big does the Maloti minnow get?

The Maloti minnow grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Maloti minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Maloti minnow is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

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All data

Identification

English name
Maloti minnow sourced
Scientific name
Pseudobarbus quathlambae
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Drakensberg minnow; Maluti minnow; Maluti Minnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Africa: Lesotho sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudobarbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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