Scleropages formosus

(Müller & Schlegel, 1840)

Vernacular names
English : Asian bonytongue
French : Scléropage d’Asie

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Osteoglossiformes
Family : Osteoglossidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can grow to 90 cm in length. Large upward-turned mouth, laterally compressed body covered with big scales. Coloration variable according to populations, from light grey to bright orange or red with brown markings.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in South-East Asia, from southern Myanmar and eastern Thailand to Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra. Introduced in Singapore. Lives in lakes, swamps, flooded forests, deep rivers with slow current.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species’ populations are alarmingly declining because of overexploitation and habitat loss. International trade of wild specimens is banned.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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