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Thai mahseer (Tor tambra) — Cyprinidae

Thai mahseer

Tor tambra
Family: Cyprinidae

The Thai mahseer (Tor tambra) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 100 cm.

Length
100 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Thai mahseer is a large cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear, fast-flowing rivers and mountain lakes of Sundaland in Southeast Asia. The species can grow to about 1 metre and has a powerful, silvery to golden body with large scales, thick lips and two pairs of barbels. As a social omnivore it swims in flowing water and eats fruit, seeds, algae, insects and small invertebrates. It is a highly valued sport and food fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Thai mahseer?

The Thai mahseer has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Thai mahseer live?

The Thai mahseer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Thai mahseer get?

The Thai mahseer grows to a maximum of about 100 cm.

Is the Thai mahseer dangerous to humans?

No, the Thai mahseer is harmless to humans.

Is the Thai mahseer edible?

Yes, the Thai mahseer is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Java-mahseer sourced
English name
Thai mahseer sourced
Scientific name
Tor tambra
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Mekong mahseer sourced

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
100.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. 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 Tor

More from the family Cyprinidae

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