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Redeye barb (Enteromius gurneyi) — Cyprinidae

Redeye barb

Enteromius gurneyi
Family: Cyprinidae

The Redeye barb (Enteromius gurneyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Redeye barb is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of southern Africa. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, silvery body, sometimes with dark spots or a longitudinal stripe, and small barbels. As a schooling fish it swims in clear rivers, streams and pools and snaps at insect larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Redeye barb?

The Redeye barb has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Redeye barb live?

The Redeye barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Africa: South Africa

How big does the Redeye barb get?

The Redeye barb grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Redeye barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Redeye 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 Redeye barb edible?

Yes, the Redeye barb is commonly eaten.

More photos

Redeye barb (Enteromius gurneyi) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Matthew Burnett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redeye barb (Enteromius gurneyi) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gerhard Diedericks, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Redeye barb (Enteromius gurneyi) — Cyprinidae — 4
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Redeye barb (Enteromius gurneyi) — Cyprinidae — 5
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Redeye barb sourced
Scientific name
Enteromius gurneyi
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Redtail barb sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water 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 Enteromius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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