Pungwe chiselmouth (Varicorhinus pungweensis) fish species and information / pictures of Pungwe chiselmouth - Varicorhinus pungweensis

Pungwe chiselmouth (Varicorhinus pungweensis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Varicorhinus pungweensis

Common Name
Pungwe chiselmouth

Biology
Favors rocky rapids of cool, clear mountain streams. Scrapes algae and insects from the rocks. Breeds in spring-summer, young found in deep pools below rapids. Occasionally caught by anglers and subsistence fishers (Ref. 7248).

Classification

Classified By

Jubb, 1959

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Pungwe-Buzi Rivers in Zimbabwe and Mozambique; also the Ruo, tributary to the lower Shire (Zambezi) in Malawi.

Range

15°S - 21°S

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic

Trophic Level

2.85 s.e. 0.33 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

18.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: subsistence fisheries; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (34 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)