Tor sinensis Wu, 1977
Red mahseer
photo by CAFS

Family:  Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps), subfamily: Torinae
Max. size:  46.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: China, Vietnam, and Laos; confined to the upper Mekong River system.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 5-5; Vertebrae: 41-43. Mentum long, usually reaching posteriorly to or beyond junction of upper and lower lips; soft oral structures tend to be more hypertrophied than in other Tor species, especially in larger individuals; gill rakers on lateral face of first gill arch 20-22; scales in lateral series 23-24; predorsal scales 8-10; transverse scale rows 4/1/2; vertebrae 25-27+15-16=41-43; juveniles overall silvery; pectoral, pelvic, anal, and caudal fins rosy to reddish; adults and subadults with a deep, dark midlateral stripe, body darkish above and brownish beneath; pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fins deep red (Ref. 35913).
Biology:  Inhabits pools and runs over gravel and cobble in clear rivers in forest areas (Ref. 12693). Omnivorous, feeding on vegetable matter such as fruits, as well as fish, crustaceans and other invertebrates (Ref. 12693). Occasionally caught, but never in large numbers (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 20 April 2018 (B2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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