Enteromius mattozi (GuimarĂ£es, 1884)
Papermouth
Enteromius mattozi
photo by RMCA

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  40 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 1,355.0 g; max. reported age: 9 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Africa: Limpopo system, headwaters of Gwai-Zambezi (Zimbabwe), Kwando (upper Zambezi)(Ref. 52193) and Cunene (Ref. 52193, 120641). Also in the rivers Curoca (Ref. 120641) and Quanza (Ref. 11970, 120641) in Angola and the upper Lualaba (upper Congo River basin) in Democratic Republic of the Congo (Ref. 45434).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Naturally occurring in large pools of cooler perennial rivers; thrives in man-made impoundments. An active predator which feeds initially on small planktonic crustaceans and insects; later feeds on small fishes when they are larger. Also feeds on waterlily seeds. Is preyed upon by birds, otters, large catfish and large papermouths. Migrates upstream with the first summer flood to spawn. Matures after 3 years (Ref. 7248).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 May 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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