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Giant sharkminnow (Osteochilus schlegelii) — Cyprinidae

Giant sharkminnow

Osteochilus schlegelii
Family: Cyprinidae

The Giant sharkminnow (Osteochilus schlegelii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 40 cm.

Length
40 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand

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Description

The Giant sharkminnow is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 40 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with fringed lips and an underslung, scraping mouth. As a schooling, bottom-oriented fish it migrates through rivers and floodplains and rasps algae, growth and detritus from the bottom and wood. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Giant sharkminnow?

The Giant sharkminnow has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Giant sharkminnow live?

The Giant sharkminnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Viet Nam, Thailand

How big does the Giant sharkminnow get?

The Giant sharkminnow grows to a maximum of about 40 cm.

Is the Giant sharkminnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Giant sharkminnow 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.

More photos

Giant sharkminnow (Osteochilus schlegelii) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Published by Zoologische Mededelingen, at http://www.zoologischemededelingen.nl . Creative commons license published on main page. (CC BY 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Giant sharkminnow sourced
Scientific name
Osteochilus schlegelii
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Indonesia, Viet Nam, 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

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 Osteochilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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