Kingdom Animalia Class Actinopterygii Family Cyprinidae Scientific name Labeobarbus litamba | Phylum Chordata Order Cypriniformes Genus Labeobarbus Rank Species | |
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Labeobarbus litamba is a ray-finned fish species in the family Cyprinidae. It has long been placed in Barbus, the "wastebin genus" for barbs, by default, and this is still being done by the IUCN. However, the species is increasingly being restored to related yellowfish genus Labeobarbus which seems a much more appropriate placement. It is presumably hexaploid like the other yellowfish.
Its natural habitats are rivers and freshwater lakes. It is endemic to Lake Malawi and its river mouths in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania.
Like other yellowfish, L. litamba is a large species. The biggest adults measure up to about 45 cm (18 in), but they usually remain well smaller. This shoaling freshwater fish dwells over sandy ground when young, while adults are inhabitants of the open waters that move about in search of food. They are predators, eating mainly smaller fishes but also some insects (in particular when young). Its spawning grounds are not well known. But it is presumed that – like many of their relatives – they are at least somewhat migratory and move upriver to spawn.
This species is caught for food, but being not as abundant as other "barbs" of Lake Malawi, it is only of local importance. It is by no means rare however, and due to its wide range is not considered a threatened species by the IUCN. Overfishing may, like in all large fishes, easily become a problem though.