Osteochilus vittatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Osteochilus vittatus |
|
---|---|
Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Synonyms | |
|
Osteochilus vittatus is a species of cyprinid fish from Southeast Asia. Its common name is bonylip barb,Hasselt's bony-lipped barb, hard-lipped barb, or silver sharkminnow. It grows to 32 cm (13 in) SL.
Contents
Distribution
The species is widely distributed in the Malay Peninsular and Indochina as well as southern China (Yunnan), Java, Sumatra, and Borneo. It occurs in the Salween, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, as well as in many smaller drainages.
Habitat
It inhabits a wide range of freshwater habitats: lowland marshlands, lakes, peat swamps, rivers, and hill streams. It is usually associated with slow-flowing large streams with muddy to sandy rocky bottom.
Diet
Adults feed on aquatic plants and particularly the roots of the plants (Hydrilla verticillata), unicellular algae and some crustaceans. Young are reported to feed on detritus.
Utilization
Osteochilus vittatus is an important fishery species in the Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. It is occasionally present in aquarium trade.