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Naked carp (Schizopygopsis pylzovi) — Cyprinidae

Naked carp

Schizopygopsis pylzovi
Family: Cyprinidae

The Naked carp (Schizopygopsis pylzovi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 33 cm.

Length
33 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Naked carp is a high-mountain cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from cold, fast-flowing rivers and lakes of the Tibetan Plateau in Central Asia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, silver-grey body with small scales and an inferior mouth with a horny edge. Adapted to the icy, oxygen-rich mountain water it rasps algae and biofilm from stones and eats insect larvae and plant matter. It is locally an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Naked carp?

The Naked carp has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Naked carp live?

The Naked carp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: China

How big does the Naked carp get?

The Naked carp grows to a maximum of about 33 cm.

Is the Naked carp dangerous to humans?

No, the Naked 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 Naked carp edible?

Yes, the Naked carp is commonly eaten.

More photos

Naked carp (Schizopygopsis pylzovi) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) bronn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Naked carp (Schizopygopsis pylzovi) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Captainsong, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Naked carp sourced
Scientific name
Schizopygopsis pylzovi
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
33.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: China 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
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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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