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Blue mahseer (Neolissochilus stracheyi) — Cyprinidae

Blue mahseer

Neolissochilus stracheyi
Family: Cyprinidae

The Blue mahseer (Neolissochilus stracheyi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 60 cm.

Length
60 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The blue mahseer is a large freshwater barb from Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 60 cm and has a powerful, streamlined, silvery body with large scales, an inferior mouth with thick lips and two pairs of barbels. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it lives in clear, fast-flowing rivers and eats algae, water plants, fruit, insects and small invertebrates. It is a valued food and sport fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue mahseer?

The Blue mahseer has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blue mahseer live?

The Blue mahseer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blue mahseer get?

The Blue mahseer grows to a maximum of about 60 cm.

Is the Blue mahseer dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue mahseer is harmless to humans.

Is the Blue mahseer edible?

Yes, the Blue mahseer is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Blauwvin-mahseer verified
English name
Blue mahseer verified
Scientific name
Neolissochilus stracheyi
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Thai mahseer sourced

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Hengelsport sourced
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 Neolissochilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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