Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > Cyprininae
Etymology: Balantiocheilos: Greek, balantion = bag + Greek, cheilos = lip (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Bleeker.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.0 - 8.0; dH range: 5 - 12. Tropical; 22°C - 28°C (Ref. 1672); 20°N - 6°S
Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. Becoming rare or extinct in many river basins.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 35.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 30857)
Silver body with black margins on dorsal, caudal, anal and pelvic; lower lip with a posterior groove forming a pocket opening backwards (Ref. 43281).
Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Found in midwater depths in large and medium-sized rivers and lakes. Feeds on phytoplankton, but mostly on small crustaceans, rotifers as well as insects and their larvae (Ref. 12693). Aquarium keeping: in groups of 5 or more individuals; minimum aquarium size >150 cm (Ref. 51539).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Kottelat, M., 2001. Fishes of Laos. WHT Publications Ltd., Colombo 5, Sri Lanka. 198 p. (Ref. 43281)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: highly commercial
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