📖 Overview
Found in shallow, well-vegetated streams and pans . It feeds on small aquatic organisms . Breeds in summer, possibly migrating to spawning sites .
Scientific Name
Enteromius toppini
Authority
Boulenger, 1916
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8. : fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for East Coast barb is currently being
reviewed.
🦐 Diet
aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus
🥚 Reproduction
🐣 Oviparous
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 7.0 - 7.0; potamodromous . Tropical; 22°C - 26°C ; 13°S - 27°S east coast to Lake Chilwa in Malawi (Ref.
Malawi
Mozambique
South Africa
Tanzania
🌿 Ecology
Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Food Items
small aquatic organisms (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
Length–Weight Relationship:
W = 0.01096 × L3.02
(TL)
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
Temperature Range
22–26°C
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
IUCN Category
Least Concern
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
10.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.8
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Described By
Boulenger, 1916
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"East Coast 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 East Coast barb is
currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for East Coast 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 toppini |
Boulenger |
1916 |
Synonym
|
|
Barbus umbeluziensis |
Groenewald |
1958 |
Synonym
|
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect East Coast barb.
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 25 records indexed
.