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Padang barb (Mystacoleucus padangensis) — Cyprinidae

Padang barb

Mystacoleucus padangensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Padang barb (Mystacoleucus padangensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia

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Description

The Padang barb is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of Sumatra in Southeast Asia, especially Lake Maninjau. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a small, forward-pointing spinelet before the dorsal fin. As a schooling fish it lives in clear lakes and rivers and eats algae, small invertebrates and detritus. It is an important local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Padang barb?

The Padang barb has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Padang barb live?

The Padang barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Indonesia

How big does the Padang barb get?

The Padang barb grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Padang barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Padang barb 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.

More photos

Padang barb (Mystacoleucus padangensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Padang barb (Mystacoleucus padangensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Padang barb (Mystacoleucus padangensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Published by Zoologische Mededelingen, at http://www.zoologischemededelingen.nl . Creative commons license published on main page. (CC BY 3.0)
Padang barb (Mystacoleucus padangensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Padang barb sourced
Scientific name
Mystacoleucus padangensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia 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

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Mystacoleucus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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