Redeye labeo

Redeye labeo
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Cypriniformes
Family:	Cyprinidae
Subfamily:	Labeoninae
Genus:	Labeo
Species:	L. cylindricus
Binomial name
Labeo cylindricus W. K. H. Peters, 1852
Synonyms
Labeo montanus (Günther, 1889) Tylognathus cantini Sauvage, 1882 Tylognathus montanus Günther, 1889 Labeo darlingi Boulenger, 1902 Labeo parvulus Gilchrist & Thompson, 1913 Labeo kilossae Steindachner, 1914 Labeo loveridgei Regan, 1920

The redeye labeo or African carp (Labeo cylindricus) is a species of fish in the cyprinid genus Labeo. It is a freshwater fish endemic to the rivers of East Africa, from the Zambezi through the Limpopo and Komati Rivers to the Pongola River. It also inhabits upper and middle parts of the Congo River.

Appearance

The body of the fish is cylindrical and it has a characteristic protruded snout, usually with star shaped tubercles on it. The mouth is large and the lips fleshy. The general colour is yellow-green with a darker band stretching horizontal over the body. Older fish is a darker olive grey. The eyes are typically red and the fish reaches 23 cm (9.1 in) in length.

Habitat

The species prefers clear, running waters in rocky habitats of small and large rivers, and is also found in lakes and dams over rocky areas. It feeds on diatoms and other small algae from the rocks. It migrates upstream in masses to breed, using the mouth and broad pectoral fins to climb damp surfaces of barrier rocks and weirs in the river.