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Hainan predatory carp (Opsariichthys hainanensis) — Cyprinidae

Hainan predatory carp

Opsariichthys hainanensis
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hainan predatory carp (Opsariichthys hainanensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southern China
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Hainan predatory carp is a small predatory cyprinid from southern China and Hainan Island. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a slender, silvery body with faint blue-green cross-bars; breeding males develop nuptial tubercles and brighter colours. It hunts at the surface for insects and small fish in clear, flowing streams. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hainan predatory carp?

The Hainan predatory carp has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Predatory small surface cyprinid; males with spawning tubercles

Where does the Hainan predatory carp live?

The Hainan predatory carp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southern China

How big does the Hainan predatory carp get?

The Hainan predatory carp grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Hainan predatory carp dangerous to humans?

No, the Hainan predatory carp 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 Hainan predatory carp edible?

The Hainan predatory carp is rarely eaten.

More photos

Hainan predatory carp (Opsariichthys hainanensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
© President and Fellows of Harvard College (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MCZ
Hainan predatory carp (Opsariichthys hainanensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Francis Tsang, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hainan predatory carp (Opsariichthys hainanensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) satellitewu, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hainan predatory carp (Opsariichthys hainanensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Yvan Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hainan predatory carp verified
Scientific name
Opsariichthys hainanensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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
Natural range
Southern China verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects and small fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Current-loving pike carp; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Predatory small surface cyprinid; males with spawning tubercles sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Opsariichthys

More from the family Cyprinidae

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