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Deepbody shovelnose (Onychostoma alticorpus) — Cyprinidae

Deepbody shovelnose

Onychostoma alticorpus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Deepbody shovelnose (Onychostoma alticorpus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 50 cm.

Length
50 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The deepbody shovelnose is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) endemic to clear, fast-flowing mountain rivers of Taiwan. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a strikingly deep, streamlined, silvery body and a transverse, inferior mouth with a horny edge with which it rasps algae from stones. As a bottom-oriented grazer it lives in cool, oxygen-rich water and eats aufwuchs, algae, invertebrates and detritus. It is a valued food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepbody shovelnose?

The Deepbody shovelnose has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Deepbody shovelnose live?

The Deepbody shovelnose lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Deepbody shovelnose get?

The Deepbody shovelnose grows to a maximum of about 50 cm. On average the species is around 25 cm.

Is the Deepbody shovelnose dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepbody shovelnose is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hoogrug-bergscraper sourced
English name
Deepbody shovelnose sourced
Scientific name
Onychostoma alticorpus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Sharp-jaw barbel; Taiwan ku fish verified

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
50.0 verified
Average length (cm)
25.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

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 Onychostoma

More from the family Cyprinidae

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