| Labeoninae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Crossocheilus siamensis Also known as one of "Siamese algae eater" | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Subfamily: | Labeoninae Bleeker, 1859 |
| Diversity | |
| See text | |
| Synonyms | |
Garrinae | |
Labeonins or labeoins are fish of the subfamily Labeoninae (or the tribe Labeonini, when subsumed into subfamily Cyprininae), which are ray-finned fishes in the family Cyprinidae of order Cypriniformes. They are freshwater fish, with the greatest species richness in the region around southern China, though they are present throughout subtropical and tropical Asia as well as equivalent regions in Africa. They are a generally very apomorphic group, perhaps the most "advanced" or derived of the Cyprinidae.
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Anatomically, the labeonins are distinguished by traits of the Weberian apparatus contacting the skull with the supraneural bones, and its basioccipital process being concave in cross-section. The first vertebra has a parapophysis that is elongated to forward and partially overlaps the basioccipital process. The fourth vertebra, meanwhile, has a short but stout transverse process that is prominently elongated ventrally; the os suspensorium is often hidden behind if viewed from the side. In the skull, the frontal and sphenotic bones have prominent foramina. In the anal fin, the first pterygiophore is elongated and has well-developed anterior and posterior flanges, with the former very large and concave at the distal end. Most labeonins have the skinny flap of the underside of the snout well-developed into a fleshy cap that at least partially hides the upper lip except when feeding, and a similar structure at the lower lip. [1]
Notable genera include Crossocheilus , Epalzeorhynchos and Garra , which contain some of the popular aquarium fishes often called "algae eaters", e.g. the Siamese algae-eater (Crossocheilus siamensis) along with "pedicure fish" such as Garra rufa . Labeo – the type genus of this subfamily – contains many sizeable species which are often used as food.