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Tugela labeo (Labeo rubromaculatus) — Cyprinidae

Tugela labeo

Labeo rubromaculatus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Tugela labeo (Labeo rubromaculatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: South Africa
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Tugela labeo is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of the Tugela and adjacent drainages in southeastern Africa. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a streamlined, dark body with an inferior, sucking mouth with fleshy lips with which it rasps algae and growth from stones. As a bottom-oriented grazer it lives in flowing rivers and eats aufwuchs, algae and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tugela labeo?

The Tugela labeo has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Tugela labeo live?

The Tugela labeo lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Africa: South Africa

How big does the Tugela labeo get?

The Tugela labeo grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Tugela labeo dangerous to humans?

No, the Tugela labeo 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 Tugela labeo edible?

The Tugela labeo is rarely eaten.

More photos

Tugela labeo (Labeo rubromaculatus) — Cyprinidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Tugela labeo (Labeo rubromaculatus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Brenden Pienaar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tugela labeo (Labeo rubromaculatus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Zilpa Miranda, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Tugela labeo sourced
Scientific name
Labeo rubromaculatus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
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
Rarely 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 Labeo

More from the family Cyprinidae

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