SANBI

Rationale

In this assessment specimens from the North Western part of the species distribution from Marico and the Waterberg area are excluded based on genetic differences documented by Engelbrecht (1996), and Engelbrecht and van der Bank (1996). This species is known from an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 17,077 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of 96 km² and is experiencing continuing decline in habitat quality due to upstream activities, combined with spread of invasive alien fish species. However, it is currently distributed across 15 locations and is thus close to qualifying as threatened and is assessed as Near Threatened B1b(iii)+2b(iii).

Distribution

The main subpopulations exist in the headwaters of the Marite, Mac Mac and Sand Rivers subcatchments of the Sabie River Catchment in Mpumalanga; the Shelangubu and Lomati rivers and their tributaries in Swaziland; the headwaters of the Hlelo River subcatchment in Mpumalanga; and southern Pongolo tributaries in Swaziland.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

This headwaters species is naturally found at low abundances (Bills et al. 2004). During the 2016 survey done on the Sabie River Catchment by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Authority (MTPA), the Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE - individuals caught per minute) for Shortfin Barb (Enteromius brevipinnis) ranged between 0.08 and 1.77 with the relative density of it in relation to other fish species collected, calculated at values between 0.63% and 68.85% (Roux and Selepe in press).

Threats

Threatened by varied impacts in upland catchments such as sedimentation caused by forestry activities, predation by alien trout and Bass (Micropterus spp.), affects of dams and water abstraction. Throughout the tributaries to the Sabie River there are extensive impacts from water extraction for urbanisation, forestry and high density of road river crossings that disrupts connectivity and results in siltation and sedimentation. Water eutrophication from urban areas is causing water quality to decline.

Uses and trade

It may be used as an ornamental species in the aquarium trade.

Conservation

No formal conservation protection exists. Eradication of invasive alien trout and Bass (Micropterus spp.) from certain key conservation catchments may help. Discussions with forestry companies and riparian land owners to attempt to reduce sedimentation impacts are needed, these should include recommendations to increase riparian buffer zones and construction of properly designed river crossings.

References

[@article{18475,
 author = {Skelton, P.H.},
 title = {A Complete Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Southern Africa},
 year = {2001}
}
,@article{63287,
 author = {Bills, I.R., Boycott, R.C., Fakudze, M., Khumalo, N., Msibi, J., Scott, L.E.P., Terry, S. and Tweddle, D.},
 title = {Fish and Fisheries of Swaziland (2002-2003). Final report: July 2004},
 year = {2004}
}
,@book{2426,
 address = {Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK},
 author = {Baillie, J. and Groombridge, B.},
 publisher = {International Union for Conservation of Nature},
 title = {1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals},
 year = {1996}
}
,@book{2426,
 address = {Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK},
 author = {Groombridge, B.},
 publisher = {IUCN},
 title = {1994 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals},
 year = {1994}
}
,@electronic{2426,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-3},
 year = {2017}
}
,@article{2560,
 author = {Skelton, P.H.},
 journal = {African Journal of Aquatic Science},
 pages = {1--7},
 title = {Name changes and additions to the southern African freshwater fish fauna},
 year = {2016}
}
,@article{2560,
 author = {Yang L, Sado T, Hirt MV, Pasco-Viel E, Arunachalam M, Li J, Wang X, Freyhof J, Saitoh K, Simons AM, Miya M, He S and Mayden, RL},
 journal = {Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution},
 pages = {97--116},
 title = {Phylogeny and polyploidy: Resolving the classification of cyprinine fishes (Teleostei: Cypriniformes)},
 volume = {85},
 year = {2015}
}
,@article{2574,
 author = {Engelbrecht, J.S.},
 title = {Phylogenetic relationships between morphologically similar <i>Barbus</i> species, with reference to their taxonomy, distribution and conservation},
 year = {1996}
}
,@article{2574,
 author = {Engelbrecht, J.S. and van der Bank, F.H.},
 title = {Genetic relationships between seven species within the chubbyhead and goldie barb groups of minnows},
 year = {1996}
}
,@article{2574,
 author = {Schulz, G.W.C. and Schoonbee, H.J},
 journal = {Water SA },
 number = {2},
 pages = {257--264},
 title = {Aspects of the length, mass, fecundity, feeding habits and some parasites of the shortfin minnow, Barbus brevipinnis (Cyprinidae) from the Marite River, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa},
 volume = {25},
 year = {1998}
}
,]

How to cite this assessment

See the partners page

Send feedback about this assessment to SANBI

Red List of South African Species