Sharpbelly (Hemiculter leucisculus) fish species and information / pictures of Sharpbelly - Hemiculter leucisculus

Sharpbelly (Hemiculter leucisculus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Hemiculter leucisculus

Common Name
Sharpbelly

Biology
The species is common in large streams and reservoirs in Hong Kong but not favored as a table fish because the flesh is unpalatable and very bony; abundant in China where it is canned. The main bulk of the diet includes zooplankton, insects, crustaceans, algae and detritus.

Classification

Classified By

Basilewsky, 1855

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: China, North and South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Amur River basin (Ref. 1441) to Red River drainages; Mongolia (Ref. 57778). Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction. Introduced in Iran (Ref. 39702).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

18 °C

Water Temperature To

22 °C

Depth From - meters

0 m

Depth To - meters

10 m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; ; pH range: 7.0 - ? ; dH range: 15 - ? benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 10 m (Ref. 6898)

Trophic Level

2.7 s.e. 0.22 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

23.0 cm

Common Length

16.9 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5039 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Moderate vulnerability (38 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated