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Chinese mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella) — Cyprinidae

Chinese mud carp

Cirrhinus molitorella
Family: Cyprinidae
NT · Near Threatened

The Chinese mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 55 cm.

Length
55 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The mud carp is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from Southeast Asia and southern China. The species has an elongate, silvery body with an inferior mouth with short barbels. It lives from the middle water layers to the bottom of large and medium rivers and enters flooded forests during floods. Grazing the bottom, it feeds on algae, detritus, plant matter and growth. Owing to overfishing and habitat pressure the species is considered near threatened. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Chinese mud carp?

The Chinese mud carp has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Chinese mud carp live?

The Chinese mud carp lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Chinese mud carp get?

The Chinese mud carp grows to a maximum of about 55 cm. On average the species is around 15 cm.

Is the Chinese mud carp dangerous to humans?

No, the Chinese mud carp is harmless to humans.

Is the Chinese mud carp edible?

Yes, the Chinese mud carp is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Modderkarper sourced
English name
Chinese mud carp verified
Scientific name
Cirrhinus molitorella
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Dace; Mud carp verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
55.0 verified
Average length (cm)
15.2 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced

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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