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Malaysian mahseer (Tor tambroides) — Cyprinidae

Malaysian mahseer

Tor tambroides
Family: Cyprinidae

The Malaysian mahseer (Tor tambroides) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Malaysian mahseer is a mahseer, a large cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Southeast Asia, in Sundaland and the Mekong basin. The species grows to about 100 cm and has a powerful, silvery body with large scales, an inferior mouth and barbels. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives in clear mountain rivers and pools and eats algae, water plants, insects, fruit and small animals. It is a famed sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Malaysian mahseer?

The Malaysian mahseer has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Malaysian mahseer live?

The Malaysian mahseer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and others

How big does the Malaysian mahseer get?

The Malaysian mahseer grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Malaysian mahseer dangerous to humans?

No, the Malaysian mahseer 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 Malaysian mahseer edible?

Yes, the Malaysian mahseer is commonly eaten.

More photos

Malaysian mahseer (Tor tambroides) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Malaysian mahseer (Tor tambroides) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Doni Susanto, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Malaysian mahseer (Tor tambroides) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Malaysian mahseer (Tor tambroides) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tse Chung Yi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Malaysian mahseer sourced
Scientific name
Tor tambroides
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Thai mahseer; Greater brook carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
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
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 Tor

More from the family Cyprinidae

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