African carp
📖 Overview
Overview information for African carp is currently being compiled by our editorial team.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal soft rays (total): 15 - 19; Anal soft rays: 8 - 11; Vertebrae: 31 - 33. Diagnosis: dorsal profile straight to slightly arched; body dark and dull; rostral lobe poorly developed, its free margin smooth . Distal margin of dorsal fin straight or convex; inner surface of lips with 4-10 transverse folds or costae . Inferior mouth with well-developed lips forming a sucker-like ring enclosing the jaws; snout typically swollen, as long as or much longer than the postocular part of the head . Body not cylindriform, its depth 27-39% of SL or 2.3-3.3 times in SL . Depth of caudal peduncle 0.7-1.3x its length; 26-46 (50-150mm) and 37-47 (150-250mm) gill rakers; scale formula 5.5-7.5/36-40/6.5-7.5; 4.5 scales between lateral line and pelvic-fin base; 16 (18) scales around caudal peduncle . 11-14 dorsal fin branched rays . : fusiform / normal; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for African carp is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for African carp is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous . Tropical; 6°N - 6°S East coast of Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"African carp is an edible species."
- 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
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 388 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for African carp has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | African Carp · Black Carp |
| 🇸🇦Arabic | Kada · Koubi · Labis Kobi · Lebeis Aswad · Lebeis Aswad Horie · Tutkum |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labeo cubie | Rüppell | 1832 | Synonym |
| Labeo lereensis | Blache & Miton | 1960 | Synonym |
| Labeo pseudocoubie | Blache & Miton | 1960 | Synonym |
| Labeo selti | Valenciennes | 1842 | Synonym |
| Labeo steindachnerii | Pfeffer | 1896 | Heterotypic |
| Labeo tongaensis | Rendahl | 1935 | Synonym |
| Labeo uhamensis | Pellegrin | 1920 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 108 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for African carp ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.