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Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis) — Cyprinidae

Siamese mud carp

Henicorhynchus siamensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Siamese mud carp is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a small mouth. As a schooling, bottom-oriented fish it migrates in enormous numbers through rivers and floodplains and eats algae, mud, plant material and detritus. It is one of the most important food fish of the region. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Siamese mud carp?

The Siamese mud carp has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Siamese mud carp live?

The Siamese mud carp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand

How big does the Siamese mud carp get?

The Siamese mud carp grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Siamese mud carp dangerous to humans?

No, the Siamese mud carp 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 Siamese mud carp edible?

Yes, the Siamese mud carp is commonly eaten.

More photos

Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Kuaytiew, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — BigYoi (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Niran Anurakpongsathorn, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Siamese mud carp (Henicorhynchus siamensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Siamese mud carp sourced
Scientific name
Henicorhynchus siamensis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Siamese mud carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand 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
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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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