Home · Cyprinidae · Large razorbelly minnow
Large razorbelly minnow (Salmostoma bacaila) — Cyprinidae

Large razorbelly minnow

Salmostoma bacaila
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Large razorbelly minnow (Salmostoma bacaila) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The large razorbelly minnow is a slender cyprinid from fresh and brackish water of South Asia, in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. The species grows to about 18 cm and has a very slender, silvery body with a sharp, razor-like belly edge. It schools near the surface of rivers, lakes and estuaries and feeds on small zooplankton, insects and larvae. It is a local bait and food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Large razorbelly minnow?

The Large razorbelly minnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Large razorbelly minnow live?

The Large razorbelly minnow lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Large razorbelly minnow get?

The Large razorbelly minnow grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Large razorbelly minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Large razorbelly minnow is harmless to humans.

Is the Large razorbelly minnow edible?

The Large razorbelly minnow is rarely eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Grote scheermesvis verified
English name
Large razorbelly minnow verified
Scientific name
Salmostoma bacaila
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Large razorbelly minnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Netvisserij 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 Salmostoma

More from the family Cyprinidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →