Catlocarpio siamensis

(Boulenger, 1898)

Vernacular names
English : Giant carp
French : Carpe géante du Siam

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
One of the world’s largest carps, growing to over 3 meters in length for a maximum weight above 3 kg. Very large head with thick lips and white lower lip. Body with humped back and large white-banded black scales. Very dark fins.

Range and habitat
The species is native to South-East Asia and occurs in Thailand, Lao and Cambodia, in the Maeklong, Mekong and Chao Phraya river systems. Lives in floodplains, deep pools of very large rivers.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is a very well known food fish that has been caught unsustainably for years. Pollution is another factor of the species’ demise.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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