Annals of the Teansvaal Museum. 
251 
DESCRIPTION OF A NEW TRANSVAAL FISH OF THE FAMILY 
CYPRINIDAE. 
By Paul A. Methuen, F.Z.S. 
Genus Labeo. 
Cuv. Regne Anim. ii (1817) ; Cuv. and Val. Hist. Poiss. xvi (1842) ; 
Heckel, Russegger’s Reise, ii (1843) ; Giinth. Cat. Fish, vii (1868) ; 
Bonleng. Poiss. Bass. Congo (1901), Fish. Nile (1907), Cat. fr. -water Fish. 
Africa, I (1909). 
Abrostomus, A. Smith, 111. Zool. S. Africa, Fish (1841). 
Tylognathus , Heckel, l.c. ; Giinth., l.c. 
Rohitichthys , Bleek. Atlas Ichth. iii (1863). 
Labeo transvaalensis, sp. n. — In giving the following description, 
which is based on two specimens caught by Mr. T. Jenkins in the Crocodile 
River, I regret that an examination of type specimens of Labeo rosae Steind. 
has not been possible ; however, closely as this specimen of Labeo agrees 
with the description of the above-mentioned Transvaal fish given by Mr. 
Boulenger * in his Monograph of the African Fishes, I am satisfied that 
the differences between the two are sufficiently patent to warrant the 
separation of this Cyprinid from any known species. 
Mr. Hewitt, of the Albany Museum, Grahamstown, first recognized 
this fish as being distinct from Labeo rosae by a comparison of the size of 
the eye. In Labeo rosae the eye is four to four and a half times in the 
length of the head, about half the interorbital width ; in Labeo trans- 
vaalensis the same measurements are five and one-third respectively. 
Another outstanding feature is that the pectoral is relatively smaller than 
that of Labeo rosae. If any faith can be pinned in colour of spirit specimens 
then Labeo transvaalensis is generally goldenish ; the colour of Labeo rosae 
is given as : “ Grey above, silvery white beneath.” 
Description : Body rather strongly compressed. Total length, exclud- 
ing caudal, two and three-fifths to three times depth. Head four and 
a half times in total length ; its width about two- thirds its length. Snout 
rounded. Eye lateral in middle of head, five times in length of head, one- 
third interorbital width. Width of mouth with lips two and three-quarter 
times in length of head. Inner surface of lower lip without papillary 
striations or transverse plicae ; both lips with several rows of conical 
papillae, the outer row of the upper lip longer than the rest, and forming 
a marked fringe ; rostral flap entire, with slight incipient crenulations. 
Barbel small, somewhat obscured by the folds of the skin. Tubercles 
on snout small, not conspicuous as in Labeo cylindricus Peters, most with 
crater-like scars. 
* G-. A. Boulanger, F.E.S., Catalogue of the Fresh-water Fishes of Africa in the British 
Museum. Vol. 1, 1909, p. 312. 
