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Chaguni (Chagunius chagunio) — Cyprinidae

Chaguni

Chagunius chagunio
Family: Cyprinidae

The Chaguni (Chagunius chagunio) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The chaguni is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear rivers of the Ganges and Brahmaputra drainages in South Asia. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with large scales, thick lips and barbels; spawning males develop tubercles on the head. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it eats insect larvae, molluscs, algae and plant material. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chaguni?

The Chaguni has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Chaguni live?

The Chaguni lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Thailand

How big does the Chaguni get?

The Chaguni grows to a maximum of about 50 cm.

Is the Chaguni dangerous to humans?

No, the Chaguni 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 Chaguni edible?

Yes, the Chaguni is commonly eaten.

More photos

Chaguni (Chagunius chagunio) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Sir Francis Day (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Chaguni sourced
Scientific name
Chagunius chagunio
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Medium carp; Minor carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Bangladesh, Myanmar, India, Nepal, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 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 Chagunius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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