Congo blind barb (Caecobarbus geertsii)

Scientific name: Caecobarbus geertsii Boulenger, 1921

The Congo blind barb (Caecobarbus geertsii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae.

Biology

Blind fish which lives in caves, about (700)750-850 m above sea-level. Feeds on small crustaceans living in the caves and also on animals washed into the caves, although this needs confirmation. Estimated longevity 9-14 years, but may exceed 15 years. Not closely related to any extant epigean species of the Congo region. Classified as `textbook and popular press fish' in.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Caecobarbus geertsii
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
12.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: known only from some caves near Mbanza-Ngungu (lower Congo River), Democratic Republic of Congo. International trade restricted (CITES II, since 6.6.1981).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (B1ab(i,ii,iii,iv)+2ab(i,ii,iii,iv))
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial
Resilience
High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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