Redtail barb (Barbus gurneyi)

Scientific name: Barbus gurneyi G?nther, 1868

The Redtail barb (Barbus gurneyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. Native range: Africa, Natal, from the Umtamvuna northwards to the Amatikulu, north of the Tugela basin.

Biology

Common at altitudes of 300-1000 m, especially in clear streams of the sandstone belt. Prefers pools, where it is frequently the only fish species present apart from eels. It thus represents an important link in the food chain, feeding on aquatic insects and other small invertebrates and falling prey to eels, birds and others

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Barbus gurneyi
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
10.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Africa: Natal, from the Umtamvuna northwards to the Amatikulu, north of the Tugela basin.
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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