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Sumatran rasbora (Rasbora sumatrana) — Cyprinidae

Sumatran rasbora

Rasbora sumatrana
Family: Cyprinidae

The Sumatran rasbora (Rasbora sumatrana) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Sumatran rasbora is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body, often with a dark longitudinal stripe or spot. As a social schooling fish it swims in clear streams, rivers and forest pools and snaps at small zooplankton, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sumatran rasbora?

The Sumatran rasbora has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sumatran rasbora live?

The Sumatran rasbora lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others

How big does the Sumatran rasbora get?

The Sumatran rasbora grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Sumatran rasbora dangerous to humans?

No, the Sumatran rasbora 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 Sumatran rasbora edible?

Yes, the Sumatran rasbora is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Sumatran rasbora sourced
Scientific name
Rasbora sumatrana
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Viet Nam and others 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
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 Rasbora

More from the family Cyprinidae

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