Hampala barbel

Hampala barbel
	Hampala barbel ( Hampala macrolepidota )
Systematics
without rank:	Otophysa
Order :	Carp-like (Cypriniformes)
Subordination :	Carp fish-like (Cyprinoidei)
Family :	Carp fish (Cyprinidae)
Genre :	Hampala
Type :	Hampala barbel
Scientific name
	Hampala macrolepidota
	Kuhl & Van Hasselt , 1823

The Hampala barbel ( Hampala macrolepidota ) is a medium-sized carp fish from Southeast Asia . It is also called the great river mullet. In English it is also called Hampala Barb , Transverse-Bar Barb , Sidebar Barb or Jungle Perch , in Indonesia Sebarau or Palung , in Cambodia Trey Khman , in Laos Pa Soot , in China 大鱗裂峽魮 , (dàlínlièxiábí) , in Vietnam Cá Ngựa Nam and called genannt กะ สูบ ขีด (palakasubakhit) in Thailand .

description

The fish has large scales, a copper-colored back and a black stripe in front of the dorsal fin. The caudal and pelvic fins are orange to red in color. Young fish have teardrop-like patterns on their heads. Its fin formula is: dorsal 11-11, anal 8. The Hampala barbel is usually 35 to 70 centimeters long and weighs a maximum of 15 kilograms. A specimen weighing 5 kilograms was caught in the Thai Srinakarin reservoir and the current IGFA world record with a weight of 6.5 kilograms was caught in Lake Temeggor in Perak , Malaysia . The heaviest fish are believed to be in the pool below the Chendoroh dam, also in Perak.

distribution

The main distribution area of the hampala barbel are the countries of Cambodia , China , Indonesia (mainly Sumatra , Borneo and Java ), Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , Thailand and Vietnam . The fish species is particularly common in the catchment area of the Mae Nam Chao Phraya , Mekong and in the Nam-Ngum reservoir.

Way of life

Hampala macrolepidota lives in swarms in tropical rivers with clear, fast-flowing water over sand, gravel or mud bottom at temperatures of 22 to 25 ° C. The species is generally very adaptable and is found in most rivers. Exceptions are smaller streams, rapids and shallow swamps. The hampala barbel is a migratory fish during spawning time and migrates into the flooded rainforests during the rainy season. Its diet varies greatly depending on the habitat. While Hampala barbel from the Negara Lake Zoo in Malaysia are fish-eating predatory fish, 74% of the specimens of the same species feed on aquatic insects in the Saguling Reservoir on West Java.

use

In many countries the hampala barbel is an edible fish with a certain economic importance. Despite the many bones, the meat is valued and offered fresh as " lap pa ", a Laotian dish made from raw fish with mint. The fish is also a popular sport fish with anglers because of its fighting power. Young fish can also be kept in the warm water aquarium.