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Mola carp (Thynnichthys thynnoides) — Cyprinidae

Mola carp

Thynnichthys thynnoides
Family: Cyprinidae

The Mola carp (Thynnichthys thynnoides) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The mola carp is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. The species grows to about 25 cm and has a streamlined, bright silvery body with fine scales and a small, toothless mouth. It swims in schools in rivers and floodplains and filters phytoplankton and small zooplankton. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mola carp?

The Mola carp has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Mola carp live?

The Mola carp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others

How big does the Mola carp get?

The Mola carp grows to a maximum of about 25 cm.

Is the Mola carp dangerous to humans?

No, the Mola 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 Mola carp edible?

The Mola carp is rarely eaten.

More photos

Mola carp (Thynnichthys thynnoides) — Cyprinidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Mola carp (Thynnichthys thynnoides) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Hendra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mola carp (Thynnichthys thynnoides) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) resqi_pranadi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Mola carp (Thynnichthys thynnoides) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Indra Gumay Yudha (CC BY 3.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Mola carp sourced
Scientific name
Thynnichthys thynnoides
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Brunei Darsm, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others 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
Rarely 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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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