Labeobarbus pungweensis (Jubb, 1959)
Pungwe chiselmouth

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Torinae
Max. size:  18 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: Pungwe-Buzi rivers in Zimbabwe and Mozambique (Ref. 7248, 52193); also the Ruo, tributary to the lower Shire (Zambezi) in Malawi (Ref. 7248).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-14; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Mouth inferior, wide, with horny scraping lower lip and one pair of very short barbels (Ref. 52193). Males with prominent white tubercles on snout, cheeks and scales (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 4 unbranched and 9-10 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays; primary dorsal-fin ray flexible; origin of dorsal fin in advance of pelvic fins (Ref. 52193). Scales longitudinally striated; 28-30 scales in lateral line, 12 scales around caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193).

Colouration: Dark olive above, golden yellow-cream below (Ref. 52193). Juveniles are grey above, silvery on the sides with a black spot at end of caudal peduncle (Ref. 52193).

Biology:  Found in rocky rapids of cool, clear mountain streams (Ref. 52193). It scrapes algae and insects from the rocks (Ref. 52193). Breeds in spring-summer, young found in deep pools below rapids (Ref. 7248, 52193). Occasionally caught by anglers and subsistence fishers (Ref. 7248, 52193).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 01 March 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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