Straightfin Barb

Last unbranched ray of dorsal fin thorny, long and with posterior denticulation; barbels not well developed, anterior barbel very short, just reaching the posterior side of the maxilla, posterior barbel just reaching the middle of the eye (Ref. 27628). Dorsal side brown-silver colored, ventral side silver, with a darker band on the flanks; fins not colored (Ref. 27628).

White spot Disease. Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Eye Infection (Diplostomum sp.). Parasitic infestations (protozoa, worms, etc.)

Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analsoft rays: 6 - 7

Hardy, prefers quiet, well-vegetated waters in lakes, swamps, and marshes or marginal areas of larger rivers and slow-flowing streams. Frequency of occurrence in Caprivi: occasionally on rocky streams, in standing deep water; common in shallow swamps and flood plains (Ref. 37065). Feeds on a wide variety of small organisms including insects, small snails and crustaceans, algae, diatoms, and detritus. Is preyed upon by the sharptooth catfish, tigerfish, largemouth breams (Serranochromis species) and birds.

Hardy, prefers quiet, well-vegetated waters in lakes, swamps, and marshes or marginal areas of larger rivers and slow-flowing streams (Ref. 7248). In shallow, inshore areas of Lake Victoria especially where bottom is sandy (Ref. 4903). Bottom feeder (Ref. 12526). Feeds on a wide variety of small organisms including insects, small snails and crustaceans, algae, diatoms, and detritus (Ref. 7248). Preyed upon by the sharptooth catfish, tigerfish, largemouth breams (Serranochromis species) and birds (Ref. 7248). Spawns in river and streams during rainy season in Lake Victoria basin (Ref. 4903). Spawns amongst vegetation during summer (Ref. 7248).

fisheries: commercial

The straightfin barb ('Enteromius paludinosus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cyprinidae. E. pleurogramma is sometimes included here, but while it is certainly extremely closely related, it appears to be a distinct cryptic species.

The straightfin barb is found in Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Its natural habitats are rivers, freshwater lakes, freshwater marshes, and inland deltas.

It is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN.