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Silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) — Terapontidae

Silver therapon

Leiopotherapon plumbeus
Family: Terapontidae

The Silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) is a freshwater fish of the family Terapontidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
15.9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Philippines
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The silver therapon is a robust freshwater fish (Terapontidae) endemic to the Philippines. The species grows to about 16 cm and has a stocky, silvery body with a few dark longitudinal lines and spiny fins. As a hardy omnivore it lives in lakes, rivers and reservoirs and eats insects, small crustaceans, small fish and plant material. It is an important local food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Silver therapon?

The Silver therapon has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Silver therapon live?

The Silver therapon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Philippines

How big does the Silver therapon get?

The Silver therapon grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Silver therapon dangerous to humans?

No, the Silver therapon 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 Silver therapon edible?

The Silver therapon is rarely eaten.

More photos

Silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) — Terapontidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) — Terapontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Shrumster (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) — Terapontidae — 4
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) — Terapontidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — MarvinBikolano (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Silver therapon sourced
Scientific name
Leiopotherapon plumbeus
Family
Terapontidae
Other names
Therapon; Silver perch verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
15.9 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely 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 Leiopotherapon

More from the family Terapontidae

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