Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > Smiliogastrinae
Etymology: Pseudobarbus: Greek, pseudes = false + Latin, barbus = barbel (Ref. 45335); swartzi: The species is named after Dr. Ernst R. Swartz for his contribution to the biogeography and systematics of Pseudobarbus and the role that he played in mentoring students working on the systematics and biogeography of southern African freshwater fishes (Ref. 114782).
Eponymy: Dr Ernst Roelof Swartz was an Aquatic Biologist (2005–2010) and is now Senior Aquatic Biologist (2010–present) at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown. [...] (Ref. 128868), visit book page.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Subtropical
Africa: Gamtoos, Kabeljous and Swart River systems in South Africa (Ref. 114782).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 8.1 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 114782)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 8; Vertebrae: 37 - 38. Diagnosis: The possession of a single pair of oral barbels separates Pseudobarbus swartzi from P. burchelli, P. burgi, P. skeltoni and P. verloreni, all with two pairs (Ref. 114782). It differs from P. quathlambae by having larger scales and fewer scale rows along the lateral line , 35-37 lateral line scales in P. swartzi vs. more than 65 scales along lateral line in P. quathlambae (Ref. 114782). Pseudobarbus swartzi and P. senticeps show some overlap in barbel length, but are clearly separated by scale size; Pseudobarbus swartzi has a higher number of scale rows along the lateral line, 34-37 vs. 25-33, and around the caudal peduncle, 13-17 vs. 10-12; it further differs from P. senticeps by lacking a conspicuous lateral stripe which terminates in a triangular blotch at the base of the caudal fin (Ref. 114782). While there is some overlap in scale counts between P. swartzi and P. afer, it is uncommon; Pseudobarbus swartzi has a higher number of lateral scale series, 34-37, than P. afer which has fewer lateral scale series, 29-35; the two species further differ in scale pigmentation pattern, P. afer has a band of pigment along the centre of the scales, leaving a clear band along the distal edges of the scale, and producing a distinct mesh or net-like pattern which is more conspicuous on the latero-ventral scales, this pattern is not evident in P. swartzi (Ref. 114782). Pseudobarbus swartzi differs from P. asper by possession of fewer larger scales, 34-37 lateral line scales vs. 35-45 and 13-17 caudal peduncle scales vs. 16-22 (Ref. 114782). Lack of prominent black spots and blotches on the body distinguishes P. swartzi from P. phlegethon (Ref. 114782).
Pseudobarbus swartzi inhabits perennial mountain streams with clear or peat stained water as well as cobble, pebbles and boulders (Ref. 114782). Remnant populations of the species are under severe threat from multiple human impacts including habitat degradation, complete water abstraction and potential invasion by alien fish predators and competitors that are now dominant in mainstream sections of the rivers (Ref. 114782).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Chakona, A. and P.H. Skelton, 2017. A review of the Pseudobarbus afer (Peters, 1864) species complex (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) in the eastern Cape Fold Ecoregion of South Africa. ZooKeys 657:109-140. (Ref. 114782)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01175 (0.00447 - 0.03086), b=3.01 (2.78 - 3.24), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.7 ±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).
