ENEndangered

Bartoni kardsalmler

Brycinus bartoni

Brycinus bartoni is a small freshwater characin fish endemic to West African river systems, characterized by its silvery body with distinctive dark lateral stripes and reaching approximately 8-10 cm in length. As a schooling species, it plays an important ecological role as both predator of small invertebrates and prey for larger fish, contributing to the energy transfer within riverine food webs.

2

Countries

01Classification

Taxonomy & Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Order

Characiformes

Family

Alestidae

Genus

Brycinus

Bartoni kardsalmler belongs to the family Alestidae, order Characiformes, within the unknown class.

02Description

Species Profile

Brycinus bartoni is a small freshwater characin fish endemic to West African river systems, characterized by its silvery body with distinctive dark lateral stripes and reaching approximately 8-10 cm in length. As a schooling species, it plays an important ecological role as both predator of small invertebrates and prey for larger fish, contributing to the energy transfer within riverine food webs.

Brycinus bartoni faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural expansion, deforestation, and water pollution in its limited range. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its restricted distribution and specialized habitat requirements in West African freshwater systems.

Key Facts

IUCN StatusEndangered (EN)
GroupOther invertebrates
03Habitat

Habitat & Distribution

This species inhabits clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams with rocky or sandy substrates in the Upper Guinea forest region of West Africa. It typically occurs in well-oxygenated waters with moderate current and abundant riparian vegetation that provides shade and organic matter input.

FRESHWATERMajor
04Threats

Threats

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IUCN Red List: Endangered

Brycinus bartoni faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural expansion, deforestation, and water pollution in its limited range. The species is particularly vulnerable due to its restricted distribution and specialized habitat requirements in West African freshwater systems.

Agricultural expansion and land conversion

HighOngoing

Deforestation and riparian habitat loss

HighOngoing

Climate change affecting water levels

MediumOngoing

Overfishing and unsustainable harvesting

MediumOngoing

Water pollution from agricultural runoff

MediumOngoing
06Range

Found in 2 Countries

Community

Community Sightings

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07Sources

Sources & Attribution

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Bartoni kardsalmler (Brycinus bartoni). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bartoni-kardsalmler

Full citation guide & data usage terms