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Hill trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus) — Cyprinidae

Hill trout

Schizothorax plagiostomus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Hill trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 52 cm.

Length
52 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Himalayas and Central Asia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The hill trout is a large cyprinid from cold, fast-flowing mountain rivers of the Himalayas and Central Asia. The species grows to about 52 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a transverse, horny lower lip and a pair of barbels, adapted to scraping aufwuchs from stones in rapids. It feeds on algae, invertebrates and detritus. It is an important and valued food fish in the mountain region. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hill trout?

The Hill trout has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Horny lower lip and barbels for scraping biofilm; mountain-river carp

Where does the Hill trout live?

The Hill trout lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Himalayas and Central Asia

How big does the Hill trout get?

The Hill trout grows to a maximum of about 52 cm.

Is the Hill trout dangerous to humans?

No, the Hill trout 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 Hill trout edible?

Yes, the Hill trout is commonly eaten.

More photos

Hill trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Azan Khan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hill trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Achilles (Public domain)
Hill trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) aary, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Hill trout (Schizothorax plagiostomus) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Azan Khan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Hill trout verified
Scientific name
Schizothorax plagiostomus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Snow trout verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
52.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Himalayas and Central Asia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, invertebrates and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Mountain-river carp of flowing water; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Horny lower lip and barbels for scraping biofilm; mountain-river carp sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Nets and angling sourced
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 Schizothorax

More from the family Cyprinidae

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