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Burmese river shad (Gudusia variegata) — Clupeidae

Burmese river shad

Gudusia variegata
Family: Clupeidae

The Burmese river shad (Gudusia variegata) is a freshwater fish of the family Clupeidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Myanmar
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Burmese river shad is a herring (Dorosomatidae) from fresh water of Myanmar in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a laterally compressed, silvery body with a keeled belly edge and fine dark dotted lines. As a schooling fish it swims in rivers and lakes and filters phytoplankton and zooplankton. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Burmese river shad?

The Burmese river shad has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Burmese river shad live?

The Burmese river shad lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Myanmar

How big does the Burmese river shad get?

The Burmese river shad grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Burmese river shad dangerous to humans?

No, the Burmese river shad is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Burmese river shad edible?

The Burmese river shad is rarely eaten.

More photos

Burmese river shad (Gudusia variegata) — Clupeidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — C. Achilles (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Burmese river shad sourced
Scientific name
Gudusia variegata
Family
Clupeidae
Other names
Variegated herring verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Myanmar sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten inferred
Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gudusia

More from the family Clupeidae

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