Hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota)

Scientific name: Hampala macrolepidota Kuhl & Van Hasselt, 1823

Hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota)

The Hampala barb (Hampala macrolepidota) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–25°C (72–77°F). Native range: Asia, Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula and Indonesia.

Hampala barb care at a glance

Temperature
22–25°C (72–77°F)

Biology

Occurs mainly in clear rivers or streams with running water and sandy to muddy bottoms. Found in most water bodies, except small creeks, torrents, and shallow swamps. A migratory species. Enters flooded forest. Abundant in the Mekong and in the Nam Ngum Reservoir. Found in the basin-wide tributary of the lower Mekong. Largest individual believed to be in a pool below the Chendoroh Dam in Perah, Malaysia. A predatory fish: adults mainly piscivorous in Zoo Negara Lake, Malaysia, but in Saguling Reservoir, West Java, 74 % of the diet consists of aquatic insects. Breeds throughout the rainy season. Good fish though bony. May be made into `Lap pa'. Marketed fresh. Commonly seen in markets; economic important foodfish.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Hampala macrolepidota
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
70.0
Common length
35.0
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula and Indonesia.
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.68; Fec=7,132)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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