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Semah mahseer (Tor douronensis) — Cyprinidae

Semah mahseer

Tor douronensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Semah mahseer (Tor douronensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 35 cm.

Length
35 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Semah mahseer is a mahseer, a large cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Southeast Asia, in Sundaland and the Mekong basin. The species grows to about 100 cm and has a powerful, silvery body with large scales, an inferior mouth and barbels. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives in clear mountain rivers and pools and eats algae, water plants, insects, fruit and small animals. It is a famed sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Semah mahseer?

The Semah mahseer has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Semah mahseer live?

The Semah mahseer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others

How big does the Semah mahseer get?

The Semah mahseer grows to a maximum of about 35 cm.

Is the Semah mahseer dangerous to humans?

No, the Semah mahseer 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 Semah mahseer edible?

Yes, the Semah mahseer is commonly eaten.

More photos

Semah mahseer (Tor douronensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Semah mahseer (Tor douronensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Wibowo Djatmiko (Wie146) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Semah mahseer (Tor douronensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Semah mahseer (Tor douronensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Elson Chen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Semah mahseer sourced
Scientific name
Tor douronensis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Semah mahseer; River carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
35.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Tor

More from the family Cyprinidae

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