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Finescale razorbelly minnow (Salmostoma phulo) — Cyprinidae

Finescale razorbelly minnow

Salmostoma phulo
Family: Cyprinidae

The Finescale razorbelly minnow (Salmostoma phulo) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Finescale razorbelly minnow is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of South Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, strongly laterally compressed, bright-silvery body with a sharply keeled 'razor' belly and a superior mouth. As a fast, schooling surface fish it swims in rivers and floodplains and snaps at insects falling on the water, larvae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Finescale razorbelly minnow?

The Finescale razorbelly minnow has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Finescale razorbelly minnow live?

The Finescale razorbelly minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Finescale razorbelly minnow get?

The Finescale razorbelly minnow grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Finescale razorbelly minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Finescale razorbelly minnow is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Phulo-mesbuikvis sourced
English name
Finescale razorbelly minnow sourced
Scientific name
Salmostoma phulo
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Finescale razorbelly minnow verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water 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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Salmostoma

More from the family Cyprinidae

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