Home · Cyprinidae · Walker's barb
Walker's barb (Enteromius walkeri) — Cyprinidae

Walker's barb

Enteromius walkeri
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Walker's barb (Enteromius walkeri) 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
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
West Africa, in coastal rivers of Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Walker's barb?

Get the app

Description

Walker's barb is a small cyprinid from West Africa, occurring in Ghana and Ivory Coast. The species reaches about 10 cm and has a slender, silvery body with short barbels and is recognised by four dark spots on the flank, by which it differs from related barbs. It inhabits rivers and streams and lives in schools. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae, algae and detritus. Owing to its small size the species has little direct fishery value, although it is used locally as bait and in mixed catches.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Walker's barb?

The Walker's barb has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern. Recognisable by four dark blotches on the flank.

Where does the Walker's barb live?

The Walker's barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. West Africa, in coastal rivers of Ghana and Ivory Coast.

How big does the Walker's barb get?

The Walker's barb grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Walker's barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Walker's barb is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Walker's barb edible?

The Walker's barb is not usually eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Walker's barb?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Walker's barb is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Walker's barb sourced
Scientific name
Enteromius walkeri
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
West Africa, in coastal rivers of Ghana and Ivory Coast. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insect larvae, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Recognisable by four dark blotches on the flank. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Enteromius

More from the family Cyprinidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Walker's barb?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Walker's barb is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Walker's barb? Get the app