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Threadbelly minnow (Nematabramis alestes) — Cyprinidae

Threadbelly minnow

Nematabramis alestes
Family: Cyprinidae

The Threadbelly minnow (Nematabramis alestes) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

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Description

The threadbelly minnow is a small cyprinid (Danionidae) from clear fresh water of Borneo and the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a fine dark longitudinal line and conspicuously extended, thread-like first pelvic rays. As a schooling surface fish it swims in forest streams and rivers and snaps at insects falling on the water, larvae and small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Threadbelly minnow?

The Threadbelly minnow has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Threadbelly minnow live?

The Threadbelly minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

How big does the Threadbelly minnow get?

The Threadbelly minnow grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Threadbelly minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Threadbelly minnow 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

Threadbelly minnow (Nematabramis alestes) — Cyprinidae — 2
Raredon, Sandra J. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Threadbelly minnow (Nematabramis alestes) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Alvin Seale / Barton Appler Bean (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Threadbelly minnow sourced
Scientific name
Nematabramis alestes
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines 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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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