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Mrigal carp (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) — Cyprinidae

Mrigal carp

Cirrhinus cirrhosus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Mrigal carp (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
5.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Highly prized

Description

The mrigal is a large cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of South Asia and is one of the most important farmed fish of the Indian subcontinent. The species grows to about 1 metre and has an elongate, silvery body with an underslung mouth and short barbels. As a bottom-oriented fish it searches rivers and culture ponds for algae, detritus and small invertebrates. It is an important food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Mrigal carp?

The Mrigal carp has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Mrigal carp live?

The Mrigal carp lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Mrigal carp get?

The Mrigal carp grows to a maximum of about 100 cm. On average the species is around 40 cm.

Is the Mrigal carp dangerous to humans?

No, the Mrigal carp is harmless to humans.

Is the Mrigal carp edible?

Yes, the Mrigal carp is a highly prized food fish.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Mrigal sourced
English name
Mrigal carp sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhinus cirrhosus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Mrigal; Mrigal carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Average length (cm)
40.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Highly prized inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cirrhinus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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