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Steindachner's yellowfish (Labeobarbus steindachneri) — Cyprinidae

Steindachner's yellowfish

Labeobarbus steindachneri
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Steindachner's yellowfish (Labeobarbus steindachneri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Steindachner's yellowfish is a large cyprinid from East Africa. The species grows to about 33 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large scales, an inferior mouth and barbels. As a bottom-forager it eats algae, invertebrates, molluscs and plant matter in rivers and lakes. It is a local food fish and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Steindachner's yellowfish?

The Steindachner's yellowfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Inferior mouth with barbels; bottom-foraging yellowfish

Where does the Steindachner's yellowfish live?

The Steindachner's yellowfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Africa

How big does the Steindachner's yellowfish get?

The Steindachner's yellowfish grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Steindachner's yellowfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Steindachner's 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 Steindachner's yellowfish edible?

Yes, the Steindachner's yellowfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Steindachner's yellowfish (Labeobarbus steindachneri) — Cyprinidae — 2
Kai Borckenhagen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Steindachner's yellowfish (Labeobarbus steindachneri) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
Steindachner's yellowfish (Labeobarbus steindachneri) — Cyprinidae — 4
Kai Borckenhagen (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — NHMUK
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Steindachner's yellowfish verified
Scientific name
Labeobarbus steindachneri
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
East Africa verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, invertebrates, molluscs and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-foraging yellowfish; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Inferior mouth with barbels; bottom-foraging yellowfish sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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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