This is a species complex, requiring more research of distribution, taxonomy and threats. This research is due to be undertaken, however until more information is available, this species must be assessed as Data Deficient. Although at a regional level this species was assessed as Least Concern for central, eastern and southern Africa, it is likely that as species are described, some may meet the criteria for the threatened categories, notably the species in the River Ruo in Malawi, which is threatened by habitat deterioration and pollution by washing activities in the burgeoning human population around the base of Mulanje Mountain.
Distribution
Enteromius eutaenia is a species complex, which is yet to be fully taxonomically researched and described. As this species currently stands, it has a widespread distribution across much of the southern half of Africa:
Central Africa:Enteromius eutaenia is known from the southern tributaries of the Congo River system. It is also known from the Cuanza and Lake Tangayika (Skelton 2001).
Eastern Africa: Malawi, where one of the species complex occurs in the upland streams of the Ruo river., also in the Rufilyo River flowing into Lake Malawi just north of the Tanzania-Malawi border. Also recorded in Lake Tanganyika.
Southern Africa: Small streams and tributaries throughout the upper Zambezi system, rarely in the main Zambezi river channel (Tweddle et al. 2004). Also reported from the Cunene, Okavango, Quanza and the Congo system (Skelton 2001). Other reported areas of occurrence, e.g. in eastern Zimbabwe, need further study. Populations of B. eutaenia- like fishes occur in South Africa (Mpumalanga, Kawazulu-Natal) and Swaziland.
This species is common throughout its range in suitable habitat.
Threats
At a local level, Enteromius eutaenia suffers many threats. It is commercially important as an aquarium species, and appears to be sensitive to flow reduction, sedimentation and pollution. However, given the wide distribution and extensive suitable habitat in the many rivers and streams in which it occurs, there are no major threats to this species.
Uses and trade
This species is harvested for human consumption, and for the aquarium trade.
Conservation
This species requires taxonomic revision. The species has some protection in reserves in southern Africa. It needs habitat and water quality conservation, and maintenance of flows in streams.
[@article{63269,
author = {Yang, L., Sado, T., Hirt, M.V., Pasco-Viel, E., Arunachalam, M., Li, J., Wang, X., Freyhof, J., Saitoh, K., Simons, A.M., Miya, M., He, S. and Mayden, R.L.},
journal = {Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution},
pages = {97--116},
title = {Phylogeny and polyploidy: resolving the classification of cyprinine fishes (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)},
volume = {85.0},
year = {2015}
}
,@electronic{63269,
address = {http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catelog/fishcatmain.asp},
author = {Eschmeyer, W.N., Fricke, R. and Van der Laan, R. (eds.)},
title = {Catalog of Fishes: genera, species, references. Updated 02 March 2018},
year = {2018}
}
,]
