River sardine (Mesobola brevianalis)

Scientific name: Mesobola brevianalis Boulenger, 1908

The River sardine (Mesobola brevianalis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae.

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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Mesobola brevianalis
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
7.5
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Africa: Cunene, Okavango, upper Zambezi systems and east coastal rivers from the Limpopo to the Umfolozi in northern Natal. An isolated population is found in the Orange River below the Augrabies Falls. Also known from Luapula River.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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.

Last updated