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Sharphead culter (Culter oxycephaloides) — Cyprinidae

Sharphead culter

Culter oxycephaloides
Family: Cyprinidae

The Sharphead culter (Culter oxycephaloides) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 46 cm.

Length
46.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China

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Description

The sharphead culter is a cyprinid relative (Xenocyprididae) from large rivers and lakes of East Asia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has an elongate, strongly laterally compressed, silvery body with a pointed head and a superior mouth. As a fast predator of open water it hunts small fish and insects. It is locally a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sharphead culter?

The Sharphead culter has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sharphead culter live?

The Sharphead culter lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: China

How big does the Sharphead culter get?

The Sharphead culter grows to a maximum of about 46 cm. On average the species is around 17 cm.

Is the Sharphead culter dangerous to humans?

No, the Sharphead culter 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Sharphead culter sourced
Scientific name
Culter oxycephaloides
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
46.2 verified
Average length (cm)
17.2 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
Natural range
Asia: China 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

Fishing method
Can be caught with natural bait or lures, matched to the size and habitat of the species. 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 Culter

More from the family Cyprinidae

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