African Blind Barb Fish

Description: eyes not visible though present, deeply embedded in head, without lens and only a rudimentary retina and optical nerve; pigmentation absent and considered a true albino; lateral vein creates a vivid red band along lateral line; gills visible below operculum as a purplish region; intestinal region visible through abdomen (Ref. 86866). Populations from affluents of the Kokosi River (Kwilu system) with opercular guanine spot which may cover 1/3 of operculum, in addition to a few other guanine spots and marks; this spot is absent in all other populations (affluents of Fuma River); within one cave the population has a serrated dorsal spine, which was not found in all other populations examined by Heuts (1951) (Ref. 86866).

Expels eggs in a more or less haphazard fashion, the substrate on which the species spawns must have crevices and pores into which the adhesive eggs can roll and be hidden so to prevent predation by its parents or other cave inhabitants.

Blind fish which lives in caves (Ref. 86866), about (700)750-850 m above sea-level (Ref. 2801, 86866). Feeds on small crustaceans living in the caves and also on animals washed into the caves (Ref. 557), although this needs confirmation (Ref. 86866).

Blind fish which lives in caves (Ref. 86866), about (700)750-850 m above sea-level (Ref. 2801, 86866). Feeds on small crustaceans living in the caves and also on animals washed into the caves (Ref. 557), although this needs confirmation (Ref. 86866). Estimated longevity 9-14 years, but may exceed 15 years (Ref. 86866). Not closely related to any extant epigean species of the Congo region. Classified as `textbook and popular press fish' in Ref. 4537.

fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial