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Watson's lonefin (Cyprinion watsoni) — Cyprinidae

Watson's lonefin

Cyprinion watsoni
Family: Cyprinidae

The Watson's lonefin (Cyprinion watsoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, Pakistan

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Description

Watson's lonefin is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear, flowing rivers and springs of southwest Asia, including Iran and Pakistan. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with an inferior mouth with a sharp, horny edge with which it rasps growth from stones. As a social bottom-dweller it eats algae, biofilm, detritus and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Watson's lonefin?

The Watson's lonefin has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Watson's lonefin live?

The Watson's lonefin lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Asia: Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, Pakistan

How big does the Watson's lonefin get?

The Watson's lonefin grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Watson's lonefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Watson's lonefin 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

Watson's lonefin (Cyprinion watsoni) — Cyprinidae — 2
Università degli Studi di Firenze (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — MSNF-SPE
Watson's lonefin (Cyprinion watsoni) — Cyprinidae — 3
Paul Caers (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Watson's lonefin (Cyprinion watsoni) — Cyprinidae — 4
Youp van den Heuvel (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Watson's lonefin (Cyprinion watsoni) — Cyprinidae — 5
pygmaeus (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Watson's lonefin sourced
Scientific name
Cyprinion watsoni
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Asia: Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, Pakistan 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 Cyprinion

More from the family Cyprinidae

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