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Bamin (Polynemus paradiseus) — Polynemidae

Bamin

Polynemus paradiseus
Family: Polynemidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bamin (Polynemus paradiseus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Polynemidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
0–25.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South and Southeast Asia, in estuaries and lower rivers.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The paradise threadfin is a threadfin (Polynemidae) from South and Southeast Asia. The species reaches about 30 cm, has a streamlined, silvery body with a downward-pointing snout and, characteristically, a bundle of long, free thread-like lower pectoral rays that serve as feelers to detect prey in turbid water. It is euryhaline and lives over sandy bottoms in estuaries and coastal waters, ascending into fresh water during the spawning season. The diet consists mainly of shrimps and other crustaceans, small fishes and benthic organisms. The species is marketed fresh and is a valued local food fish.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bamin?

The Bamin has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Long, free thread-like lower pectoral fin rays as feelers; migrates to fresh water to spawn.

Where does the Bamin live?

The Bamin lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. South and Southeast Asia, in estuaries and lower rivers.

How big does the Bamin get?

The Bamin grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 17 cm.

Is the Bamin dangerous to humans?

No, the Bamin is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bamin edible?

Yes, the Bamin is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bamin (Polynemus paradiseus) — Polynemidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Hamid Badar Osmany (CC BY 3.0)
Bamin (Polynemus paradiseus) — Polynemidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — George Henry Ford (Public domain)
Bamin (Polynemus paradiseus) — Polynemidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) nuttzsche, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bamin (Polynemus paradiseus) — Polynemidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Prosenjit Dawn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Bamin verified
Scientific name
Polynemus paradiseus
Family
Polynemidae
Other names
Indian salmon; Paradise threadfin; Paradise threadfish; Threadfin; Row ball; Striped threadfin; Tassel fish; Thread fin verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
South and Southeast Asia, in estuaries and lower rivers. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Shrimps and other crustaceans, small fishes and benthic organisms sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Migrates up into fresh water in the spawning season to spawn. inferred
Special features
Long, free thread-like lower pectoral fin rays as feelers; migrates to fresh water to spawn. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Polynemus

More from the family Polynemidae

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