Papermouth (Barbus mattozi)

Scientific name: Barbus mattozi Guimar?es, 1884

The Papermouth (Barbus mattozi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae.

Biology

Naturally occurring in large pools of cooler perennial rivers; thrives in man-made impoundments. An active predator which feeds initially on small planktonic crustaceans and insects; later feeds on small fishes when they are larger. Also feeds on waterlily seeds. Is preyed upon by birds, otters, large catfish and large papermouths. Migrates upstream with the first summer flood to spawn. Matures after 3 years.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Barbus mattozi
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
40.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Limpopo system, headwaters of Gwai-Zambezi (Zimbabwe), Kwando (upper Zambezi) and Cunene. Also in the Quanza in Angola and the upper Lualaba (upper Congo River basin) in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3; tmax=8.5)

Sources

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

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