| Leptobarbidae (Cigar barbs) |
| 100 cm SL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 10,000.0 g |
|
pelagic; freshwater; pH range: 7; dH range: 12; depth range - 3 m, potamodromous |
| Asia: Thailand to Sumatra and Borneo. |
|
Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Juveniles with black longitudinal stripe (Ref. 43281). |
| Found most often in freely flowing rivers and streams and seasonally on floodplains. Although reported to be non-migratory, it definitely does participate in local trophic migrations to and from inundated forests (Ref. 12693). Swims in shoals and are only fished in the Mekong especially during upstream (Jan.-Feb.) and downstream migration (Jun.-Jul.). Eats parenchyma and seeds of chaulmoogra tree (Hydnocarpus) falling into the streams; reported to become intoxicated and behaves in a peculiar manner and is believed to be toxic. Northern Laotians refrain from eating this fish but those in the South do. Cambodians and Vietnamese prize it highly (Ref. 2091). Eating flesh of the fish can cause nausea in humans (Ref. 12693). |
|
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 April 2020 Ref. (130435)
|
| other |
|
Known from the Mekong River. A migratory species occurring at the Khoné Falls (Ref. 37772). Found in Ban Hang Khone, a village on an island in the middle of the mainstream Mekong River just below the Great Khone Waterfalls in Khong District, Champasak Province (Ref. 37767). Inedible, eating this fish reportedly induces nausea & vomiting. The poison comes from Hydnocarpus fruits (mak gabao & mak ngooan) on which it feeds. Dorsal musculature eaten as lap (raw meat) marinated in vinegar & pepper (Ref. 9497). According to Ban Hang Khone fishermen, this species enters the flooded forest in July-September, feeds heavily on fallen fruit and attains a maximum weight of about 10 kg (Ref. 9497). Also Ref. 4792, 30857, 36654, 56905. |
Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.
