In the seven caves where first discovered, the total population has been estimated at perhaps 7,000 individuals in the 1950s; no estimates are available for the seven more recently discovered populations. Among the first seven, one has disappeared entirely following
quarrying of
limestone that began in the 1930s. The caves where it lives are considered sacred by the locals, and this restricts access to most of them. A local law passed in 1937 limits fishing and the species has been listed on
CITES since 1981, which limits international trade. Before its listing on CITES
Appendix II, the species was often caught and exported for the
freshwater aquarium trade, but few exports have happened after. Currently, the main threat is
habitat loss: The human population in its range is increasing and farming near the caves can result in
sedimentation and pollution. The region was formerly covered in rainforest and grassland, which limited
erosion. Other potentially serious threats are changes to the
hydrology (for example, large-scale water extraction) of the small rivers that feed the caves and predation by
Clarias catfish found in at least some places inhabited by the Congo blind barb. ==Appearance==