Labeobarbus reinii

Description

Labeobarbus reinii is a ray-finned fish species in the family Cyprinidae. It is retained in the genus Labeobarbus. The IUCN for example notes that the taxonomy of this species is in need of revision. It does seem to be fairly close to the core group around the typical barbels (Barbus, Luciobarbus and Messinobarbus). But it is closer still to Carasobarbus and the yellowfish (Labeobarbus), and either is a lineage of the former, or part of a distinct genus, or included in the latter (maybe together with the former). It is endemic to Morocco, where its natural habitat is the Kasab and Tensift Rivers. Though these are major watercourses and the species is still quite plentiful, water pollution (particularly with domestic waste) and unsustainable water extraction (particularly for irrigation agriculture) causes it to decline in numbers. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.