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False razbora (Pseudorasbora parva) — Cyprinidae

False razbora

Pseudorasbora parva
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The False razbora (Pseudorasbora parva) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia: from the Amur to the Pearl River basin in Siberia, Korea and China.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The stone moroko is a small cyprinid (family Cyprinidae) growing to at most 12.5 cm. The slender, silvery-grey body has a superior, upturned mouth; juveniles and females show a dark lateral stripe, while breeding males darken and develop nuptial tubercles. Native to East Asia, the species has been widely introduced across Europe, where it is invasive, can displace native fishes and also spreads a harmful parasite. Males guard the eggs, which adhere to stones, until they hatch. Stone moroko eat small insects, fish eggs, fry and plant material, and the fish has no value as food.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the False razbora?

The False razbora has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Small cyprinid with a superior mouth; juveniles and females with a dark longitudinal stripe. Males develop breeding tubercles.

Where does the False razbora live?

The False razbora lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Asia: from the Amur to the Pearl River basin in Siberia, Korea and China.

How big does the False razbora get?

The False razbora grows to a maximum of about 13 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the False razbora dangerous to humans?

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

Is the False razbora edible?

The False razbora is not usually eaten.

More photos

False razbora (Pseudorasbora parva) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Инна Хохлова, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
False razbora (Pseudorasbora parva) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Riccardo Novaga, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))

Easily confused with

These species look like the False razbora and live in the same waters.

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All data

Identification

English name
False razbora verified
Scientific name
Pseudorasbora parva
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Stone moroco; Stone moroko; Topmouth gudgeon; Stone morokos; Topmouth minnow verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
East Asia: from the Amur to the Pearl River basin in Siberia, Korea and China. verified
Origin
Non-native (invasive) verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Omnivorous: small invertebrates, algae, detritus and plant material inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
Yes verified
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
Yes verified
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified
Seasonality
Females spawn several times per season in still water; males guard eggs under stones until they hatch. sourced
Special features
Small cyprinid with a superior mouth; juveniles and females with a dark longitudinal stripe. Males develop breeding tubercles. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Pseudorasbora

More from the family Cyprinidae

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