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Neumayer's barb (Enteromius neumayeri) — Cyprinidae

Neumayer's barb

Enteromius neumayeri
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Neumayer's barb (Enteromius neumayeri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Freshwater of East and Central Africa, including the Lake Victoria basin.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Enteromius neumayeri is a small barb of the family Cyprinidae occurring in fresh water of East and Central Africa, including the Lake Victoria drainage and surrounding rivers. The species has a streamlined, silvery body with short barbels and reaches about 12 cm. It inhabits vegetated streams, rivers and swamps and feeds as an omnivore on small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus. Like many small barbs the species lives in small groups near the bottom. Because of its small size the fish has little fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Neumayer's barb?

The Neumayer's barb has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small, silvery barb with short barbels; bottom-dweller of vegetated waters.

Where does the Neumayer's barb live?

The Neumayer's barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Freshwater of East and Central Africa, including the Lake Victoria basin.

How big does the Neumayer's barb get?

The Neumayer's barb grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Neumayer's barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Neumayer's 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 Neumayer's barb edible?

The Neumayer's barb is not usually eaten.

More photos

Neumayer's barb (Enteromius neumayeri) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Dale Kindler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Neumayer's barb (Enteromius neumayeri) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Grimm, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Neumayer's barb (Enteromius neumayeri) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Rob Palmer, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Neumayer's barb (Enteromius neumayeri) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Dale Kindler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Neumayer's barb verified
Scientific name
Enteromius neumayeri
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Neumayer's barb verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.8 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Freshwater of East and Central Africa, including the Lake Victoria basin. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small, silvery barb with short barbels; bottom-dweller of vegetated waters. 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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