Enteromius afrohamiltoni (Crass, 1960)
Hamilton's barb

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  17.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: lowveld reaches of tropical east coast rivers from the lower Zambezi to the Phongolo (Ref. 7248, 52193). Unconfirmed reports from the upper Zambezi, Kafue, Nata and Zambian Congo (Lake Bangweulu) systems (Ref. 52193).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 3-3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Relatively deep-bodied, with steep back and deep caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193). Mouth large, with 2 pairs of barbels (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 spines and 8 soft rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays; third simple ray enlarged to form a stout spine with serrated posterior margin, longer than head length (Ref. 13337, 52193). Scales in lateral line 30-34, 16 around caudal peduncle (Ref. 13337, 52193).

Colouration: Silvery in life (Ref. 52193), with no trace of black pigmentation (Ref. 13337). A faint lateral stripe appears in preserved material which somehow appears to maintain a silvery sheen (Ref. 13337).

Biology:  It prefers quiet waters, like pans and large pools (Ref. 52193). It feeds on insects (Ref. 52193). Used as bait for tigerfish (Ref. 7248).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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