Barboides gracilis Brüning 1929

Diagnosis: single 8-shaped nostril on either side of head; absence of barbels, suborbital bones and lateral line; dorsal fin with 6 branched rays and well in front of anal fin (Ref. 81282, 81639). Description: small species; big eyes (35-43% HL); scales cycloid, some with radiating streaks; no perforated scales on lateral line; 25-29 scales in longitudinal series; 12 scales around caudal peduncle; dorsal fin beginning distinctly behind level of pelvic-fin insertions; caudal fin forked; D:II,6; A:II-III, 5; P:10-11; V:I,5-7 (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639). Coloration: translucid body, visceral mass shining through skin in life; black eyes; big black spot on caudal-fin base, caudal fin lobes red-orange at base; in preserved specimens, body whitish, with a fine, black midlateral band running from gill cover to caudal-fin base (Ref. 2940, 81282, 81639).

Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Analsoft rays: 7 - 8

Distinguished from small Barbus in sight by absence of barbels, absence of lateral line and 1 single nostril in form of 8 at each side of snout (Ref. 81282, 81639). Occurs throughout the lower forested coastal lowlands in small slow flowing rivers under forest cover (Ref. 2801).

fisheries:

Barboides gracilis is a species of ray-finned fish in the carp and minnow family, Cyprinidae which occurs in small, slow flowing rivers in forests in the coastal lowlands in West Africa from Benin to Equatorial Guinea. It is a small species of 1.6 cm in length which feeds mainly on aquatic plants and detritus. It is threatened by habitat destruction caused by barrage fishing, development and oil exploration.