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Giant scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata) — Cyprinidae

Giant scissortail

Rasbora caudimaculata
Family: Cyprinidae

The Giant scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Giant scissortail is a rasbora, a small cyprinid (Danionidae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a slender, silvery body. The tail lobes bear black and yellow markings and move like scissors. As a lively schooling fish it swims in clear streams, rivers and blackwater and eats small insects, larvae and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant scissortail?

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

Where does the Giant scissortail live?

The Giant scissortail lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand

How big does the Giant scissortail get?

The Giant scissortail grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Giant scissortail dangerous to humans?

No, the Giant scissortail 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 Giant scissortail edible?

Yes, the Giant scissortail is commonly eaten.

More photos

Giant scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Keith Martin-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Giant scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Timur Yilmaz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Giant scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata) — Cyprinidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Giant scissortail (Rasbora caudimaculata) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — lwolfartist (CC BY 2.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Giant scissortail sourced
Scientific name
Rasbora caudimaculata
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Greater scissortail; Red scissortail; Redtail rasbora verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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 Rasbora

More from the family Cyprinidae

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