Garra quadrimaculata (Rüppell, 1835)

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Labeoninae
Max. size:  10.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, non-migratory
Distribution:  Africa: mainly found on the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia and Yemen), but also in south-eastern Eritrea, south-eastern Ethiopia, and possibly also in Somalia (Ref. 58532). Reports from the Nile River basin, including Lake Tana, of specimens with a small mental disc, are misidentifications of other species (Ref. 96382). Its presence in Chad basin (Ref. 2940, 81282), where it is indicated as Garra cf. quadrimaculata, is not confirmed (Ref. 58532).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Diagnosis: Garra quadrimaculata is distinguished from African congeners by the following combination of features: well developed papillate disc; fully scaled predorsum, chest, belly and postpelvic regions; vent positioned very close to anal fin; and long intestine (Ref. 58532). Description: Body gracile, greatest body depth located at level of pelvic-fin tips (Ref. 58532). Head somewhat depressed, with characteristic tuberculation consisting of large rounded tubercles concentrated in rows around nostrils; eyes positioned medially on head (Ref. 58532). Dorsal head profile rises steeply over snout; dorsum of head more-or-less contiguous with dorsal body profile and smoothly convex to dorsal-fin origin (Ref. 58532). Disc well-developed, with a wide free posterior margin, and abundant papillae on lower lip and around disc periphery; disc length 22.8-26.8% of head length, wider than long, its width 34.4-47.3% of head length; rostral cap well developed, extending ventrally over upper jaw and with invecked ventral margin (Ref. 58532). Two pairs of barbels; maxillary barbels usually slightly longer than rostral pair (Ref. 58532). Between 33 and 35 scales along lateral line; predorsal region fully scaled; 3.5 scales from lateral line to origin of pelvic fin; 3.5-4 scales from lateral line to dorsal-fin origin; belly, chest and postpelvic regions fully scaled; scales often small and deeply embedded (Ref. 58532). Dorsal fin with iii,7 rays, inserted well anterior to pelvic fin, with subacuminate tip, first and second unbranched rays longest; anal fin with iii,5 rays, blunt tip; pectoral fin with iv,11 rays, its length 19.0-19.6% of standard length, with pointed tips (Ref. 58532). Predorsal length 47.4-49.7% of standard length (Ref. 58532). Vent located very close to anal fin (Ref. 58532). Colouration: The body colour of Garra cf. quadrimaculata is greyish-yellow, darker on back; fine dark line along middle of sides ending in oblong blotch at hind part of caudal peduncle; base of dorsal fin with black spots (Ref. 2940, 81282).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.