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Jae barb facts for kids

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Jae barb
Barbus jae male (6857667212).jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Synonyms
  • Barbus jae Boulenger 1903

The Jae barb (scientific name: Enteromius jae) is a small, colorful fish. It's a type of cyprinid fish, which means it's related to carp and minnows. This fish used to be called Barbus jae, but its scientific name was changed to Enteromius jae.

What the Jae Barb Looks Like

The Jae barb is a tiny fish, usually growing to about 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) long. Its body is mostly beige-brown. The fins are red, and they are much brighter on the males than on the females. Female Jae barbs are also a bit bigger and rounder than the males.

Interestingly, these fish can look different depending on where they live! For example, male fish from the River Nyong in Cameroon can turn completely blood red when they are ready to breed. But males from other parts of the same river might only have red on the back half of their bodies. Fish from other rivers in Cameroon, like the River Sanaga or River Dja, also show small differences in their colors and patterns. In Gabon, some Jae barbs have a mostly gray body with very deep red or even black fins when they are mature males.

Where the Jae Barb Lives

The Jae barb likes to live in slow-moving, shallow streams. These streams are usually found in shaded rainforests and swamps. They often have lots of plants growing in the water.

Where to Find the Jae Barb

You can find the Jae barb in western central Africa. It lives in rivers from the River Wouri in Cameroon all the way to the River Kouilou-Niari in the Republic of Congo and the River Chiloango basin. It also lives in different parts of the large Congo River basin, including areas in Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

What the Jae Barb Eats

The Jae barb is probably a "micropredator." This means it eats very tiny living things. Its main diet includes small insect larvae and tiny crustaceans, which are like tiny shrimp or crabs.

Is the Jae Barb in Danger?

The Jae barb is a widespread species, meaning it lives in many places. Scientists have not found any major threats to this fish. Because it has a wide range across central Africa and its population seems stable, its conservation status is "Least Concern." This means it's not currently at risk of becoming endangered.

How the Jae Barb Got Its Name

The scientific name for the Jae barb used to be Barbus jae. However, scientists realized that the Barbus group of fish was very large and included many different kinds of fish that weren't closely related. To make the scientific classification more accurate, they decided to move many of the smaller African species, including the Jae barb, into a different group called Enteromius. So, its full scientific name is now Enteromius jae.

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