Caecobarbus geertsii

Congo blind barb
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Caecobarbus
Boulenger, 1921
Species: C. geertsi
Binomial name
Caecobarbus geertsi
Boulenger, 1921

Caecobarbus geertsi (African blind barb or Congo blind barb), locally known as barbu aveugle or poisson cavernicole d'Afrique, is a ray-finned fish species in the family Cyprinidae. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Caecobarbus.[2] It is George Albert Boulenger who made the discovery of this fish in 1921.

It is found only in Thysville Caves in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] Like other cavefish, it has no externally visible eyes and reduced pigmentation. Its maximum length is 110 mm (4.3 in). They may live as long as 15 years.[3]

It is threatened by sedimentation.[1] Its trade as aquarium novelty is also a possible threat.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Moelants, T. (2010). "Caecobarbus geertsi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  2. "Caecobarbus geertsi". Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
  3. 1 2 Proudlove, G. S.; Romero, A. (2001). "Threatened fishes of the world: Caecobarbus geertsii Boulenger, 1921 (Cyprinidae)". Environmental Biology of Fishes. 62: 238. doi:10.1023/A:1011803519256.


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