Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > Smiliogastrinae
Etymology: Enteromius: Greek, enteron = intestine + Greek, myo, mys = muscle (Ref. 45335); oraniensis: Named for its type locality, the Orange River system to which the species is endemic; noun in apposition,.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical
Africa: South Africa (Orange River system).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.5 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 93592)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
This species is distinguished by a lateral line that is incomplete (2-33; mode 15) and oral barbels that are inconspicuous (Ref. 124213).
Cross section: compressed.
Reports on extensive studies of the biology and ecology of this species, were mainly focused on populations from Lake Le Roux in the Orange River system. The species occurs in a number of habitats ranging from tributaries to mainstem sections of rivers and man-made impoundments where it is usually associated with vegetated areas. Observed early maturation in the first year of life, high reproductive effort, having multiple clutches per year and rapid growth rate are important traits that makes this species highly adaptable to habitats that are prone to regular input of high silt loads and experience extreme variation in flow regimes, ranging from devastating floods to erratic flows. Reported spawning events occur following the onset of rainfall in summer, where fish spawn locally, although spawning migration has been occasionally observed, with adhesive eggs laid in flooded marginal vegetation, This species has early maturity (attains 4.0 cm FL in first year), high reproductive rate (a female of 6.3 cm can have up to 3250 eggs) and a protracted reproductive season (up to 6 months) with individuals able to have multiple clutches. These traits allow survival in the dryland southern tributaries of the Orange River system that drain the Great Karoo (Ref. 124213).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kambikambi, M.J., W.T. Kadye and A. Chakona, 2021. Allopatric differentiation in the Enteromius anoplus complex in South Africa, with the revalidation of E. cernuus and E. oraniensis, and description of a new species, E. mandelai (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). J. Fish Biol. 99(3):931-954. (Ref. 124213)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.0 ±0.3 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
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