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Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) — Cyprinidae

Kanyu

Elopichthys bambusa
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern
NativeIntroduced

The Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowcheek carp is a large predatory carp from East Asia, ranging from the Amur basin to the Red River, mainly in China. It can grow to as much as 2 metres and has an elongate, pike-like, silvery body with a large mouth and yellowish cheeks, from which it takes its name. It lives in rivers and lakes and is an aggressive piscivore that hunts other fish in open water. It is a valued food fish but is vulnerable to overfishing. The IUCN currently assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Kanyu?

The Kanyu has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Large pike-like predatory cyprinid with yellowish cheeks

Where does the Kanyu live?

The Kanyu lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Asia

How big does the Kanyu get?

The Kanyu grows to a maximum of about 200 cm.

Is the Kanyu dangerous to humans?

No, the Kanyu 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 Kanyu edible?

Yes, the Kanyu is commonly eaten.

More photos

Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) 梅zz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Ylica (CC0)
Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) andrey19780619, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Kanyu (Elopichthys bambusa) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) steveyoung_, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Kanyu verified
Scientific name
Elopichthys bambusa
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Yellowcheek verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal 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
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
East Asia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Mainly other fishes inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Predatory carp of rivers and lakes; spawns in spring. sourced
Special features
Large pike-like predatory cyprinid with yellowish cheeks sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with live or artificial baitfish in open water. 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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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