Enteromius baudoni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Enteromius baudoni |
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Barbus baudoni (Boulenger 1918) |
The Enteromius baudoni is a type of small, tropical freshwater fish. It lives in rivers and streams across parts of Central and West Africa. This fish is also known as Baudon's Barb. It was first discovered and named by a scientist named George Albert Boulenger in 1918. The very first fish of this kind studied by scientists is kept in a museum in Paris, France.
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Meet the Baudon's Barb
Where Does This Fish Live?
This little fish calls many rivers home. You can find it in West Africa. It lives in the river systems of the Chad Basin and the Volta basin. It also lives in the Niger River, Gambia River, and Senegal River basins. Further south, it is found in the Sassandra River and Bandama River basins. In Central Africa, it lives in the Ubangui River area. This fish prefers warm freshwater. It likes water temperatures between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius (75 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit).
What Does It Look Like?
The Baudon's Barb is a small fish. It usually grows to about 3.3 centimeters (1.3 inches) long. Many of these fish have three small spots on their sides. These spots are often connected by a clear line. The tail fin of this fish is forked, like a "V" shape. It also has two pairs of barbels. Barbels are like small whiskers near its mouth. They help the fish feel and taste things in the water.
Its Life and Challenges
The Enteromius baudoni is a benthopelagic fish. This means it lives and feeds both near the bottom and in the open water. It is also a potamodromous fish. This means it migrates, or moves, within freshwater rivers to complete its life cycle. People sometimes catch this fish for food.
However, this fish faces some challenges. One big threat is deforestation. When forests are cut down, soil can wash into the rivers. This makes the water muddy and adds silt. Silt is fine dirt that can harm the fish's home.
Scientists check on the health of different animal species. In 2009, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) looked at the Baudon's Barb. They found that it is a species of "Least Concern." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
Who Was Alfred Baudon?
This fish was named after a French explorer and administrator named Alfred Baudon (1875-1932). He was a colonial administrator. Mr. Baudon collected many fish from the Shari River. He sent his collection to the British Museum. The very first Enteromius baudoni fish that scientists studied was part of his collection. That is why the fish was named in his honor.
