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Sumatran mahseer (Neolissochilus sumatranus) — Cyprinidae

Sumatran mahseer

Neolissochilus sumatranus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Sumatran mahseer (Neolissochilus sumatranus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
14.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Sumatran mahseer is a mahseer or large barb (Cyprinidae) from fast-flowing fresh water of Sumatra in Indonesia. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a powerful, silvery body with large scales, an inferior mouth and barbels. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives in clear mountain rivers and lakes and eats algae, water plants, insects, fruit and small animals. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sumatran mahseer?

The Sumatran mahseer has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Sumatran mahseer live?

The Sumatran mahseer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sumatran mahseer get?

The Sumatran mahseer grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Sumatran mahseer dangerous to humans?

No, the Sumatran mahseer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sumatraanse mahseer sourced
English name
Sumatran mahseer sourced
Scientific name
Neolissochilus sumatranus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. 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 Neolissochilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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