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Indian nurseryfish (Kurtus indicus) — Kurtidae

Indian nurseryfish

Kurtus indicus
Family: Kurtidae

The Indian nurseryfish (Kurtus indicus) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Kurtidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.6 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Behaviour
Schooling
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Myanmar, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Indian nurseryfish is a peculiar perch-like fish (Kurtidae) from coastal, brackish and fresh water of South and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a deep, translucent, laterally compressed body. Remarkably, the male develops a horny hook on the forehead from which he carries the egg cluster until the young hatch. It swims in schools and eats small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian nurseryfish?

The Indian nurseryfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Indian nurseryfish live?

The Indian nurseryfish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Myanmar, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand

How big does the Indian nurseryfish get?

The Indian nurseryfish grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Indian nurseryfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian nurseryfish 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 Indian nurseryfish edible?

Yes, the Indian nurseryfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Indian nurseryfish (Kurtus indicus) — Kurtidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jiayuan Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Indian nurseryfish (Kurtus indicus) — Kurtidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — George Henry Ford (Public domain)
Indian nurseryfish (Kurtus indicus) — Kurtidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Indian nurseryfish (Kurtus indicus) — Kurtidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jiayuan Lin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Indian nurseryfish sourced
Scientific name
Kurtus indicus
Family
Kurtidae
Other names
Indian hump head; Indian humphead; Nurseryfish verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Myanmar, China, India, Indonesia, Thailand sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No 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 Kurtus

More from the family Kurtidae

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