Species
Zanzibar Barb
Enteromius zanzibaricusZanzibar barbs are small, agile freshwater minnows that dart through slow-flowing coastal streams, oxbows, and vegetated river margins across East Africa. They form loose shoals near submerged root systems and aquatic plants, picking at algae, detritus, and drifting aquatic invertebrates. During seasonal rains, adults move into freshly inundated floodplains and shallow tributaries to scatter adhesive eggs among flooded vegetation.
FreshwaterShoalingEast Africa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyChironomid midge larvae, Water fleas, Filamentous algae
Predators
- Pied Kingfisher
- African Sharptooth Catfish
- Little Egret
ThreatsAgricultural runoff, water extraction, and siltation from habitat degradation
HabitatsLowland rivers, coastal streams, pools, and vegetated floodplains
Life span2–4 years
Classification
- FamilyCyprinidae
- SpeciesEnteromius zanzibaricus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless fish; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Bankside Watching: Use polarized sunglasses on calm sunny days to spot active shoals hovering around undercut banks and submerged tree roots.
- Habitat Protection: Avoid trampling riparian vegetation along delicate coastal streams to prevent siltation and maintain water clarity.
Predator (c) Wie146, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Wilderness Safaris Botswana - Conservation Team, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Wilderness Safaris Botswana - Conservation Team · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Andrew Deacon · cc0
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