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Spotted bonylip barb (Osteochilus spilurus) — Cyprinidae

Spotted bonylip barb

Osteochilus spilurus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Spotted bonylip barb (Osteochilus spilurus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

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Description

The Spotted bonylip barb is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with fringed lips and an underslung, scraping mouth. As a schooling, bottom-oriented fish it migrates through rivers and floodplains and rasps algae, growth and detritus from the bottom and wood. It is a food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotted bonylip barb?

The Spotted bonylip barb has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Spotted bonylip barb live?

The Spotted bonylip barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand

How big does the Spotted bonylip barb get?

The Spotted bonylip barb grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Spotted bonylip barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotted bonylip barb 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.

More photos

Spotted bonylip barb (Osteochilus spilurus) — Cyprinidae — 2
MOHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN SABRI (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Spotted bonylip barb (Osteochilus spilurus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mardi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotted bonylip barb (Osteochilus spilurus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Hendra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Spotted bonylip barb (Osteochilus spilurus) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Ganjar Cahyadi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Spotted bonylip barb sourced
Scientific name
Osteochilus spilurus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Brunei Darsm, Indonesia, Malaysia, 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

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

Same genus Osteochilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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