Enteromius camptacanthus (Bleeker, 1863)
African redfinned barb
photo by Brummett, R.E.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  15.5 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; pH range: 6.80000019073486 - 7.80000019073486; dH range: 5 - 15,
Distribution:  Africa: widespread from Cameroon to the Chiloango River basin (Ref. 81639). Extends westwards as far as the Niger delta (Ref. 2801, 2940, 81281, 81639). Also in the Dja drainage (middle Congo River basin) (Ref. 51193). Does not seem to appear to the west of the Niger (Ref. 2940).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Diagnosis: Mouth subinferior; two long and unequal pairs of barbels (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639), anterior pair not extending beyond centre of eye; posterior pair reaching to, or extending beyond, posterior half of eye/extending beyond hind margin of eye (Ref. 2940, 81282). Lateral line complete and deeply depressed below dorsal fin; 21-25 scales in lateral line; 3.5-4.5 scales between lateral line and origin of dorsal fin; 4.5 scales between lateral line and middle of belly; 2.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic fin insertion; 12 circumpeduncular scales (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639). Dorsal fin 0.8-0.9 times head length (Ref. 81639). Eight branched dorsal fin rays; last simple dorsal-fin ray smooth on hind margin; 2 large black spots on sides, one on anterior part of body and one on caudal peduncle (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639). Description: Medium-sized species with rounded dorsal profile (Ref. 81282, 81639). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639). Scales radially striated; dorsal fin with concave border, last simple ray flexible, not serrated, measuring 0.80-0.86 times head length (Ref. 81639). Colouration: Back olivaceous green, sides golden-yellow, belly whitish; lateral-line scales with small, black spot at base, particularly well visible on anterior part of body; large, elongate black blotch on middle of caudal peduncle extending forward as black band running above lateral line and becoming slightly broader before dorsal-fin level, forming a second, large, elongate blotch behind gill cover; size and shape of spots and the longitudinal band are highly variable, anterior blotch often being independent and located above longitudinal band; fins colourless in life, but red or reddish at base, but in some individuals they are entirely vermillion (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639).
Biology:  Abundant in small rivers in forest zones (Ref. 2940). Maximum reported size: 12.5 cm SL (Ref. 81282, 81639).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 August 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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