East Coast barb (Barbus toppini)

Scientific name: Barbus toppini Boulenger, 1916

The East Coast barb (Barbus toppini) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F). Native range: Africa, Mkuze, Pongolo, Incomati and Umbelezi Rivers northwards along the east coast to Lake Chilwa (Malawi). Also in Natal and Ruaha, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

East Coast barb care at a glance

Temperature
22–26°C (72–79°F)

Biology

Occurs in shallow, well-vegetated streams and pans. Feeds on small aquatic organisms. Breeds in summer, possibly migrating to spawning sites.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Barbus toppini
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
4.0
Environment
Freshwater;; pH range: 7.0 - 7.0 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Mkuze, Pongolo, Incomati and Umbelezi Rivers northwards along the east coast to Lake Chilwa (Malawi). Also in Natal and Ruaha, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
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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