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💧 Freshwater Endangered 🌡️ Subtropical

Giant redfin

Pseudobarbus skeltoni Chakona & Swartz, 2013
Max Length
16.3 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
2.6
Depth
-
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
-

📖 Overview

Reproduction is unknown, but spawning possibly occurs around November-December, based on the observation that males had large tubercles; juveniles and sub-adults probably feed by picking prey or algae from rock; adults have more predatory lifestyle and are possibly water column feeders .

Scientific Name
Pseudobarbus skeltoni
Authority
Chakona & Swartz, 2013
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
IUCN Status
EN
Max Length
16.3 cm
Trophic Level
2.6
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
28.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 36 - 38. Diagnosis: Pseudobarbus skeltoni reaches the largest size of any Pseudobarbus species and is distinguished from its congeners, except P. burchelli and P. burgi, by possessing two pairs of prominent oral barbels . It is distinguished from P. burchelli and P. burgi by the combination of the following features: distinctive terminal mouth in adults vs. subterminal in all size classes of P. burchelli and P. burgi; juveniles, sub-adults and young adults of P. skeltoni have subterminal mouths, but their lower lips are unretracted and they lack the cartilaginous plate found in both P. burchelli and P. burgi; a typically longer head relative to standard length, being 30.5% vs. 26.8% in P. burchelli and 25.8% in P. burgi; shaloow head depth, being 64.2% of head length compared to 70.1% of head length in P. burchelli and 74.1% of head length in P. burgi; mature sexually active males develop two clusters of large conical tubercles on the snout, with 22-30 tubercles in each cluster, vs. 5-10 tubercles per cluster in P. burchelli and 10-15 tubercles per cluster in P. burgi; multiple rows of large conspicious tubercles above each nare and antero-dorsal edge of each orbit, vs. single row in congenres . : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Giant redfin is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Giant redfin is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Reproduction data for Giant redfin is currently being compiled.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical South Africa (Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Trophic Level
2.6±0.2

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00603 × L3.06 (TL)
Max TL
16.3cm
Dorsal Rays
11
Anal Rays
8
Vertebrae
37

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Endangered
Assessment Date
2016

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
28.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2.6
Omnivore / Planktivore
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Chakona & Swartz, 2013

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