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Harmand's river carp (Paralaubuca harmandi) — Cyprinidae

Harmand's river carp

Paralaubuca harmandi
Family: Cyprinidae

The Harmand's river carp (Paralaubuca harmandi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 22 cm.

Length
21.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Harmand's river carp is a cyprinid relative (Xenocyprididae) from fresh water of the Mekong basin in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, strongly laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a keeled belly and a superior mouth. As a fast, schooling surface fish it swims in rivers and floodplains and snaps at insects falling on the water, larvae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Harmand's river carp?

The Harmand's river carp has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Harmand's river carp live?

The Harmand's river carp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Thailand

How big does the Harmand's river carp get?

The Harmand's river carp grows to a maximum of about 22 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Harmand's river carp dangerous to humans?

No, the Harmand's river 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 Harmand's river carp edible?

Yes, the Harmand's river carp is commonly eaten.

More photos

Harmand's river carp (Paralaubuca harmandi) — Cyprinidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Harmand's river carp (Paralaubuca harmandi) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Jiayuan Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Harmand's river carp sourced
Scientific name
Paralaubuca harmandi
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.9 verified
Average length (cm)
13.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Laos, 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
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. 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 Paralaubuca

More from the family Cyprinidae

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