Scaly (Labeobarbus natalensis)

Scientific name: Labeobarbus natalensis Castelnau, 1861

Scaly (Labeobarbus natalensis)

The Scaly (Labeobarbus natalensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. Native range: Africa, Natal, widespread from the Mkuze southwards to the Umtamvuna on Transkei border. Translocated to the Save in Zimbabwe.

Biology

Occurs in shoals and migrates upstream during spring and summer. Prefers warmer areas of rivers and often congregate at the inlets of small tributaries where the temperature is warmer than that of the main river. Feeds on algae, insect larvae and crabs. Spawns in fast-flowing stretches of rivers that are algae-free. Breeds in summer, migrates upstream and spawns over gravel beds. Males mature at about 10 cm FL, females at 15 cm FL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Labeobarbus natalensis
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
68.3
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Africa: Natal, widespread from the Mkuze southwards to the Umtamvuna on Transkei border. Translocated to the Save in Zimbabwe.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Gamefish: yes
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (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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