River sardine (Mesobola brevianalis) fish species and information / pictures of River sardine - Mesobola brevianalis

River sardine (Mesobola brevianalis) fish species information

Scientific Name
Mesobola brevianalis

Common Name
River sardine

Biology
Occurs in shoals; prefers well-aerated, open water of flowing rivers. Feeds from the water column on planktonic crustaceans and insects such as midges and ants. Attracted to light at night. Breeds in early summer (Ref. 7248).

Classification

Classified By

Boulenger, 1908

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Africa

Distribution

Africa: Cunene, Okavango, upper Zambezi systems and east coastal rivers from the Limpopo to the Umfolozi in northern Natal (Ref. 7248). An isolated population is found in the Orange River below the Augrabies Falls (Ref. 7248). Also known from Luapula River (Ref. 52959).

Range

11°S - 29°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

3.17 s.e. 0.37 Based on food items.

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

7.5 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Low vulnerability (18 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)