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Smallthread yellowfish (Labeobarbus micronema) — Cyprinidae

Smallthread yellowfish

Labeobarbus micronema
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Smallthread yellowfish (Labeobarbus micronema) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 34 cm.

Length
34 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Lower Guinea (West Africa)
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The smallthread yellowfish is a cyprinid barb from Lower Guinea in West Africa, occurring in the Sanaga, Nyong, Kribi and Ivindo in the Ogowe basin. The species grows to about 34 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with an inferior mouth and one or two pairs of small barbels. It lives in flowing fresh water and feeds omnivorously from the bottom. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smallthread yellowfish?

The Smallthread yellowfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Inferior mouth with small barbels; African barbel

Where does the Smallthread yellowfish live?

The Smallthread yellowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Lower Guinea (West Africa)

How big does the Smallthread yellowfish get?

The Smallthread yellowfish grows to a maximum of about 34 cm.

Is the Smallthread yellowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Smallthread yellowfish 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 Smallthread yellowfish edible?

The Smallthread yellowfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Smallthread yellowfish verified
Scientific name
Labeobarbus micronema
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
34.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) 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
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
Lower Guinea (West Africa) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, detritus and small benthic invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
River fish; spawns in the rainy season. sourced
Special features
Inferior mouth with small barbels; African barbel sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
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 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 Labeobarbus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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