Home · Cyprinidae · Kanyu
Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) — Cyprinidae

Kanyu

Elopichthys bambusa
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The yellowcheek carp is a large predatory carp from East Asia, ranging from the Amur basin to the Red River, mainly in China. It can grow to as much as 2 metres and has an elongate, pike-like, silvery body with a large mouth and yellowish cheeks, from which it takes its name. It lives in rivers and lakes and is an aggressive piscivore that hunts other fish in open water. It is a valued food fish but is vulnerable to overfishing. The IUCN currently assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kanyu?

The Kanyu has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Kanyu live?

The Kanyu lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Kanyu get?

The Kanyu grows to a maximum of about 200 cm.

Is the Kanyu dangerous to humans?

No, the Kanyu is harmless to humans.

Is the Kanyu edible?

Yes, the Kanyu is commonly eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Geelwangkarper verified
English name
Kanyu verified
Scientific name
Elopichthys bambusa
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Yellowcheek verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met levende of kunstmatige aasvis in open water. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cyprinidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →