Enteromius annectens (Gilchrist & Thompson, 1917)
Broadstriped barb

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Smiliogastrinae
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater
Distribution:  Africa: East coast rivers from Zambezi system south to Mkuze in northern KwaZulu-Natal; restricted to lowveld region south of Limpopo system (Ref. 7248, 52193). Considered to be closely related to or the same species as the Barotse barb, Barbus barotseensis (Ref. 7248, 52193).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Description: Body slender (Ref. 13337). Mouth with 2 pairs of relatively short barbels, less than orbit (Ref. 52193). Dorsal fin with 3 unbranched and 7-8 branched rays; anal fin with 3 unbranched and 5 branched rays; the third simple ray of the dorsal fin is slender and flexible (Ref. 13337, 52193). Scales relatively large, 25-29 in lateral line series, 12 around caudal peduncle, 3 between dorsal fin and lateral line (Ref. 13337, 52193).

Colouration: Translucent olive brown with 3 spots or a broad dark band along the body, silvery white below, a dark spot at base of anal fin (Ref. 52193). Preserved material frequently shows 3 spots with the last two vaguely connected by a dark band (Ref. 52193).

Biology:  Inhabits small streams and the larger river systems with or without aquatic weeds (Ref. 13337); prefers slow-flowing streams with vegetation (Ref. 7248, 52193). It forms shoals and undertakes seasonal movements up tributaries and onto floodplains (Ref. 13337).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 04 December 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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