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Striped barb (Acrossocheilus parallens) — Cyprinidae

Striped barb

Acrossocheilus parallens
Family: Cyprinidae

The Striped barb (Acrossocheilus parallens) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 21 cm.

Length
21 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Hong Kong
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The striped barb is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of southern China. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a few dark crossbars over the flank and small barbels. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives in clear mountain streams and scrapes algae and biofilm from stones and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Striped barb?

The Striped barb has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Striped barb live?

The Striped barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: China, Hong Kong

How big does the Striped barb get?

The Striped barb grows to a maximum of about 21 cm.

Is the Striped barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped 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.

Is the Striped barb edible?

Yes, the Striped barb is commonly eaten.

More photos

Striped barb (Acrossocheilus parallens) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Yan, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Striped barb (Acrossocheilus parallens) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Yifei, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Striped barb (Acrossocheilus parallens) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) H.T.Cheng, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Striped barb (Acrossocheilus parallens) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Tommy Hui, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped barb sourced
Scientific name
Acrossocheilus parallens
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
21.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Hong Kong 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
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Acrossocheilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

Fin

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