Banded neolebias facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Banded neolebias |
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The banded neolebias (Neolebias lozii) is a small, freshwater fish. It's a type of ray-finned fish, which means its fins are supported by bony rays. This fish belongs to the Distichodontidae family. You can find it in Africa, specifically in Zambia. It lives in small streams that are close to areas that flood during certain seasons, often surrounded by open woodlands. It likes to hide under thick floating mats of plants and other plants growing out of the water. The banded neolebias eats tiny aquatic invertebrates and can grow up to about 1.8 centimeters long.
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Protecting the Banded Neolebias
Why is this fish special?
The number of banded neolebias fish in the wild is not well known. Scientists have only found a small number of them. For example, when the species was first described, only 6 fish were studied. Later, only 19 more were found in their main habitat. Because so few have been seen, experts believe their population is quite low. This fish also lives in a very specific and small area, which makes it more vulnerable.
What threatens the banded neolebias?
Many things threaten the banded neolebias and its home. These include:
- Growing cities and farms: As more people move into the area, land is used for buildings and farming. This can destroy the fish's natural habitat.
- Dams: Building dams can change how rivers flow and affect the water levels the fish needs.
- Changes to the environment: Human activities can change the ecosystem, making it harder for the fish to survive.
- Pollution: Chemicals like fertilizer and herbicides from farms can get into the water. This pollution harms the fish and their food sources.
- Droughts: Periods of very little rain can dry up the streams where the fish live.
How human activity affects rivers
The Kataba River, where these fish are found, has been changed in some places. Parts of it have been made into straight channels, which is called canalization. This is often done to help water drain for farming. However, no banded neolebias fish were found in these changed sections. The Sianda stream has also been canalised for similar reasons.
The number of people living around the fish's habitat is growing. This leads to more farming and more water being used. It also causes deforestation, where trees are cut down in nearby woodlands. These changes can harm the delicate balance of the fish's environment.
Future threats
The Kataba River gets its water from a large swamp. If too much water is taken from underground sources, it could reduce the river's flow. While this isn't a big problem right now, it could become one in the future.
Currently, there are no harmful invasive fish in the banded neolebias's habitat. However, the Nile tilapia is a major concern. This fish could move into the area from the Zambezi River and compete with or eat the banded neolebias.
What is being done?
Sadly, there are currently no specific conservation efforts focused on protecting the banded neolebias.
Because of its small habitat, how hard it is to find, the decline in its habitat quality, its unknown population size, and the serious threats it faces, the IUCN Red List has classified the banded neolebias as 'Critically Endangered'. This means it is at a very high risk of disappearing forever.
