Labeobarbus platydorsus (Nagelkerke & Sibbing, 1997)
photo by Nagelkerke, L.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Torinae
Max. size:  63.5 cm FL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; depth range - 6 m
Distribution:  Africa: endemic to Lake Tana, Ethiopia (Ref. 35835, 96382, 128753).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Body depth 1 to 1.1 times in head length; ventral fin length less than 1.7 times in head length; nuchal hump starts gradually at occiput; silvery white.
Biology:  Occurs especially over muddy and sandy substrates all over the lake, preferably in water deeper than 6 m. A benthivore that at a larger size turns into a piscivore. Specimens smaller than 15 cm FL mainly eat insect larvae. Mollusks and plant material become more important with increased size. When fish reach sizes of 25 cm FL or more, fish are their main food.
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 01 May 2009 (B1ab(v)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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