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Plump redfin (Pseudobarbus asper) — Cyprinidae

Plump redfin

Pseudobarbus asper
Family: Cyprinidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Plump redfin (Pseudobarbus asper) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Plump redfin is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) endemic to clear rivers of the Gamtoos and Gourits basins in South Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body with reddish fins, especially in breeding individuals. As a schooling fish it lives in clear mountain streams and pools and eats small insects, larvae, algae and detritus. Through introduced predators and habitat loss the species is vulnerable. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Plump redfin?

The Plump redfin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Plump redfin live?

The Plump redfin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Africa: South Africa

How big does the Plump redfin get?

The Plump redfin grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Plump redfin dangerous to humans?

No, the Plump redfin 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 Plump redfin edible?

Yes, the Plump redfin is commonly eaten.

More photos

Plump redfin (Pseudobarbus asper) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) kevin koen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Plump redfin (Pseudobarbus asper) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Pieter Kotze, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Plump redfin (Pseudobarbus asper) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Joseph Heymans, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Plump redfin (Pseudobarbus asper) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Riaan van der Walt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Plump redfin sourced
Scientific name
Pseudobarbus asper
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Smallscale redfin; Smallscale Redfin; Plump redfin minnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: South Africa 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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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