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Signal barb (Labiobarbus festivus) — Cyprinidae

Signal barb

Labiobarbus festivus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Signal barb (Labiobarbus festivus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
33.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The signal barb is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 34 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a conspicuously high, flag-like dorsal fin and fringed lips. As a schooling fish it migrates through rivers and rasps algae, growth and detritus from the bottom and wood. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Signal barb?

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

Where does the Signal barb live?

The Signal barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia

How big does the Signal barb get?

The Signal barb grows to a maximum of about 34 cm.

Is the Signal barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Signal 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 Signal barb edible?

Yes, the Signal barb is commonly eaten.

More photos

Signal barb (Labiobarbus festivus) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Zakqary Roy (CC BY 4.0)
Signal barb (Labiobarbus festivus) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Published by Zoologische Mededelingen, at http://www.zoologischemededelingen.nl . Creative commons license published on main page. (CC BY 3.0)
Signal barb (Labiobarbus festivus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Keith Martin-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
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All data

Identification

English name
Signal barb sourced
Scientific name
Labiobarbus festivus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Signal barb verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Labiobarbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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