Cosmochilus harmandi Sauvage, 1878
photo by Warren, T.

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Cyprininae
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: Chao Phraya and Mekong basins.
Diagnosis:  Vertebrae: 35-35. With 5 branched anal fin rays; life color black rich pale blue, dorsal and caudal fins black-edged; in some specimens anal fin with black tip. Dorsal fin may also be black-tipped (Ref. 13216). Lips covered by large papillae; last simple dorsal ray osseous and serrated (Ref. 43281).
Biology:  Occurs from midwater to bottom depths in the middle and lower Mekong. Inhabits clear waters of the main channels during the dry season and moves to floodplains and riparian forests during the rainy season. Relatively common in the upland river habitat of the middle Mekong until water levels begin to rise. Dietary habits still unknown, but the subterminal mouth and papillate lips indicate that it probably roots around for food in fine-grained sediments (Ref. 12693). Found in the basin-wide mainstream of the lower Mekong (Ref. 36667).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 February 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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