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Bonylip barb (Osteochilus microcephalus) — Cyprinidae

Bonylip barb

Osteochilus microcephalus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Bonylip barb (Osteochilus microcephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Bonylip barb is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 24 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with fringed lips and an underslung, scraping mouth. As a schooling, bottom-oriented fish it migrates through rivers and floodplains and rasps algae, growth and detritus from the bottom and wood. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bonylip barb?

The Bonylip barb has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Bonylip barb live?

The Bonylip barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Bonylip barb get?

The Bonylip barb grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Bonylip barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Bonylip barb is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Kleinkop-franjelipbarbeel sourced
English name
Bonylip barb sourced
Scientific name
Osteochilus microcephalus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Osteochilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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