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Sauvage's sharpbelly (Hemiculterella sauvagei) — Cyprinidae

Sauvage's sharpbelly

Hemiculterella sauvagei
Family: Cyprinidae

The Sauvage's sharpbelly (Hemiculterella sauvagei) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 15 cm.

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

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Description

Sauvage's sharpbelly is a cyprinid relative (Xenocyprididae) from clear rivers and lakes of southern China in East Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a keeled belly and a terminal mouth. As a social schooling fish it swims in the upper and middle layer and snaps at small zooplankton, insects, larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sauvage's sharpbelly?

The Sauvage's sharpbelly has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sauvage's sharpbelly live?

The Sauvage's sharpbelly lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: China

How big does the Sauvage's sharpbelly get?

The Sauvage's sharpbelly grows to a maximum of about 15 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Sauvage's sharpbelly dangerous to humans?

No, the Sauvage's sharpbelly 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 Sauvage's sharpbelly edible?

Yes, the Sauvage's sharpbelly is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Sauvage's sharpbelly sourced
Scientific name
Hemiculterella sauvagei
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

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

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
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
Commonly eaten inferred
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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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