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Neglected barb (Enteromius neglectus) — Cyprinidae

Neglected barb

Enteromius neglectus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Neglected barb (Enteromius neglectus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West and Central Africa
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The neglected barb is a small African minnow from fresh water of West and Central Africa. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, elongate, silvery body with barbels and often a fine dark lateral stripe. It swims in small groups in clear streams and rivers and feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Neglected barb?

The Neglected barb has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender body with barbels and a fine lateral stripe; schooling little stream barb

Where does the Neglected barb live?

The Neglected barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West and Central Africa

How big does the Neglected barb get?

The Neglected barb grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Neglected barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Neglected barb 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.

Is the Neglected barb edible?

The Neglected barb is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Neglected barb verified
Scientific name
Enteromius neglectus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
West and Central Africa verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Schooling stream barb; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Slender body with barbels and a fine lateral stripe; schooling little stream barb sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Enteromius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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