Chubbyhead barb

The chubbyhead barb (Enteromius anoplus) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish in the genus Enteromius. The fish is found throughout South Africa in a variety of aquatic environments. The species is notable for its two breeding seasons, which allows it to flourish despite a short lifespan.[2][3]

Chubbyhead barb
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Barbinae
Genus: Enteromius
Species:
E. anoplus
Binomial name
Enteromius anoplus
(Weber, 1897)
Synonyms

Identification

The females (120 mm (4.7 in)) are larger than males (100 mm (3.9 in)).[3] They have blunt heads with a small mouth.[4] A few beards reach down to the mouth. During the breeding season the males are brightly golden coloured, otherwise all the fish are a greyish green on the back with a small spot on the tail fin.[2]

Distribution

The fish is widespread in rivers from the Highveld down to KwaZulu-Natal, former Transkei and the middle and upper parts of the Orange River. The species is also found in the bigger rivers of the Western and Eastern Cape.[5]

Habitat

The fish prefers cooler water to live in and occur in a variety of habitats, from large lakes and rivers to small streams. They keep to dark waters where there are shadows, for example under fallen trees. They breed twice during the year, once between November and January and again from February to March.[3] It is thought that the dual breeding seasons has allowed Barbus anoplus to be as successful as it is in entering various environments across South Africa.[3]

The female lays her eggs against the vegetation. The larvae hatch within three days and began to swim and feed after 6 to 7 days and reach maturity after one year.[2] Most males are only two years old and females reach up to three years old. The species is omnivorous and eat insects, zoo plankton, green algae and diatoms.[6] They themselves fall prey to larger fish and birds.[6]

Footnotes
  1. Woodford, D. (2017). "Enteromius anoplus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T63249A100115110. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T63249A100115110.en.
  2. Cambray, J.A. (1983). "Early development and larval behaviour of a minnow, Barbus anoplus". South African Journal of Zoology. 18 (4).
  3. Cambray, James A. (February 1985). "Age and growth of a colonizing minnow, Barbus anoplus, in a man-made lake in South Africa". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 12: 131. doi:10.1007/bf00002765.
  4. "Barbus anoplus". Desert Fishes. 9 December 2003. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  5. Cambray, J. (2007). "Barbus anoplus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T63249A12645306. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63249A12645306.en.
  6. Luna, Susan M. "Enteromius anoplus". Fishbase. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
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