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Carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola) — Cyprinidae

Carplet

Amblypharyngodon mola
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South Asia, in ponds, canals and rice fields.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The mola carplet is a small cyprinid from South Asia, occurring in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Myanmar. The species reaches about 20 cm but usually stays smaller, and has a slender, silvery body. It inhabits ponds, canals, slow-flowing streams and paddy fields, where it feeds just below the surface on phyto- and zooplankton and algae. The mola carplet is an important small food fish in South Asia and very rich in vitamin A; it is eaten whole and plays a role in combating vitamin deficiencies. Reproduction is by fractional (batch) spawning.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Carplet?

The Carplet has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small, nutritious fish (rich in vitamin A), important for food security in South Asia.

Where does the Carplet live?

The Carplet lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South Asia, in ponds, canals and rice fields.

How big does the Carplet get?

The Carplet grows to a maximum of about 20 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Carplet dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Carplet edible?

Yes, the Carplet is commonly eaten.

More photos

Carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola) — Cyprinidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Sir Francis Day (Public domain)
Carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Aan_an_Adventure, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Carplet (Amblypharyngodon mola) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) ddpt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Carplet verified
Scientific name
Amblypharyngodon mola
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Mola carplet; Pale carplet verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South Asia, in ponds, canals and rice fields. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Phyto- and zooplankton and algae sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small, nutritious fish (rich in vitamin A), important for food security in South Asia. 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 Amblypharyngodon

More from the family Cyprinidae

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