Barred Minnow

With striking vertical bars, lateral line curving down towards the ventral surface of the body; dorsal fin rounded; barbel absent.

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 10; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 11 - 13

Prefers clear, flowing waters of larger perennial rivers, frequenting pools below rocky rapids. Found also in quiet water with aquatic wed cover. Lives in shoals, usually in shallow water over sandy bottoms. Frequency of occurence in Caprivi: occasionally in sandy streams, occasionally on rocky streams (Ref. 037065). Feeds on aquatic larvae and insects, shrimps and small crustaceans.

Prefers clear, flowing waters of larger perennial rivers, frequenting pools below rocky rapids (Ref. 2801). Found also in quiet water with aquatic wed cover. Lives in shoals, usually in shallow water over sandy bottoms. Feeds on aquatic larvae and insects, shrimps and small crustaceans (Ref. 13337). Breeds in summer (Ref. 7248). Also caught with dip nets (Ref. 4967).

fisheries: minor commercial

The barred minnow (Opsaridium zambezense) is a species of cyprinid fish found in river systems from the Democratic Republic of Congo, south to Namibia, Zimbabwe and far northern areas of South Africa.