Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella)

Scientific name: Cirrhinus molitorella Valenciennes, 1844

Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella)

The Mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 22–26°C (72–79°F). Native range: Asia, Mekong, Chao Phraya, Nam Theun, Xe Bangfai and the Nanpangjiang basins; also from the Red River (China and Viet Nam).

Mud carp care at a glance

Temperature
22–26°C (72–79°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-15; Vertebrae: 34 - 38. Has 37-43 scales on the lateral line (including those on base of caudal-fin); 7-8+1/2 scale rows between lateral line and dorsal-fin origin. Differs from all other species of the genus in having more or less discrete marks on each scale on the upper, middle, and sometimes lower parts of the body. Such marks, visible in most freshly caught and recently preserved specimens, are sometimes intensely developed, giving the fish a markedly reticulated appearance. C. molitorella often has a very intense humeral mark which is vivid bluish-green in life. In other Cirrhinus the humeral marks are black or bluish black. Usually a conspicuous black bar shortly behind pectoral base. Gill rakers on the lower arm of first arch 65-85.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Cirrhinus molitorella
Family
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order
Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
55.0
Common length
15.2
Depth range
5–20 m (16–66 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous; depth range 5 - 20 m
Climate
Tropical
Distribution
Asia: Mekong, Chao Phraya, Nam Theun, Xe Bangfai and the Nanpangjiang basins; also from the Red River (China and Viet Nam).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial
Resilience
Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=3; K=0.12; Fec=100,000-204,000)

Sources

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

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