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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🐠 Aquarium 🌡️ Subtropical

Goldie barb

Enteromius pallidus Smith, 1841
Max Length
7 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Inhabits pools in clear, rocky streams often streams with emergent marginal vegetation . Spawning is likely to begin in summer, from October to November ; breeding pairs lay eggs in vegetation .

Scientific Name
Enteromius pallidus
Authority
Smith, 1841
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
7 cm
Trophic Level
3
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
13.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8. Diagnosis: Enteromius pallidus can be identified by the slightly convex dorsal surface; posterior barbel 2.0 to 3.0 times the length of anterior barbel; a slightly prominent snout; an incomplete lateral line; deep translucent light brown to golden sheen with the presence of irregular and scattered spots in mature adults; and the presence of 3-7 bold spots above the lateral line in juveniles and subadults . This species belongs to the group of Enteromius species in southern Africa that is characterised by a simple and flexible unbranched primary dorsal fin ray . It is distinguished from E. amatolicus, E. anoplus, E. annectens, E. toppini and E. radiatus by possession of two pairs of prominent and long barbels vs. single pair and/or minute oral barbels in other species; it is distinguished from E. lineomaculatus, E. viviparus and E. unitaeniatus by absence of distinct chevron markings on the lateral line vs. presence of conspicuous chevron markings on the lateral line in the other three species, and from E. bifrenatus by absence of a distinct lateral stripe and absence of black tubular markings around lateral line pores vs. presence in E. bifrenatus; it is distinguished from E. anoplus, E. amatolicus, E. annectens, E. unitaeniatus, E. bifrenatus, E. gurneyi, E. motebensis, E. radiatus, E. toppini, E. treurensis and E. viviparus by the presence of scattered black spots on the body, particularly in juveniles vs. absence of scattered black spots in the other species . Lateral pigmentation pattern of E. pallidus is closely similar to that of E. brevipinnis and E. neefi, but it is distinguished from these two species by having an incomplete lateral line vs. complete lateral line in both E. neefi and E. brevipinnis; it is further separated from E. neefi by absence of wavy lines along the scale rows vs. presence of conspicuous wavy lines along the scale rows in E. neefi, and from E. brevipinnis by lack of black pigmentation around the borders of the scales vs. presence of distinct black pigmentation around the scales in E. brevipinnis, giving a mesh-like pattern on the lateral side of the fish . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Goldie barb is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical; 24°S - 33°S South Africa, where it is distributed from the Krom to the Great Fish river system (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
3±0.3

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00603 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
7cm
Dorsal Rays
10
Anal Rays
8

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
13.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Smith, 1841

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Goldie barb is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

⚡ Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Goldie barb is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Goldie barb has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact
✓ Sustainable Choice

🔬 Full Nutritional Profile

Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)

Proximate Composition
Energy125 kcal
Moisture75 %
Protein20 %
Total Fat4 %
Ash1.3 %
Fatty Acids (g)
Saturated Fat1 g
Monounsaturated Fat1.2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat1.5 g
Omega-3 Total1 g
EPA0.3 g
DHA0.5 g
Omega-6 Total0.3 g
Key Minerals & Vitamins
Calcium20 mg
Iron0.7 mg
Magnesium30 mg
Phosphorus220 mg
Potassium380 mg
Sodium55 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Selenium32 µg
Vitamin B122 µg

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Barbus hemipleurogramma Boulenger 1911 Synonym
Barbus pallidus Smith 1841 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 7 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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