''Opsarius pulchellus'', is a species of fish in the family

Cyprinidae Cyprinidae is a family of freshwater fish commonly called the carp or minnow family. It includes the carps, the true minnows, and relatives like the barbs and barbels. Cyprinidae is the largest and most diverse fish family and the largest verte ...

, with the largest individual recorded being 11 cm long. "Pulchellus" is a Latin diminutive meaning "beautiful".

Range

''O. pulchellus'' inhabits Indochina (Mekong River) and a small part of China (along the Mekong). They are mainly found in fast flowing rivers or clear hill streams.

Diet

''O. pulchellus'' feeds mainly on the surface of the water, feeding on dead insects that land on the surface.

Threats

''O. pulchellus'' are rarely found in markets, but are exploited by

subsistence fisheries A subsistence economy is an economy directed to basic subsistence (the provision of food, clothing, shelter) rather than to the market. Henceforth, "subsistence" is understood as supporting oneself at a minimum level. Often, the subsistence econo ...

and occasionally for the

aquarium trade Fishkeeping is a popular hobby, practiced by aquarists, concerned with keeping fish in a home aquarium or garden pond. There is also a piscicultural fishkeeping industry, serving as a branch of agriculture. Origins of fishkeeping Fish have ...

. Habitat degradation through sedimentation increase (e.g. by large-scale

damming A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, a ...

) may become problematic in the future, especially along the

Mekong The Mekong or Mekong River is a trans-boundary river in East Asia and Southeast Asia. It is the world's List of rivers by length, twelfth longest river and List of longest rivers of Asia, the third longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , ...

and

Chao Phraya The Chao Phraya ( or ; th, แม่น้ำเจ้าพระยา, , or ) is the major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It flows through Bangkok and then into the Gulf of Thailand. Et ...

References

External links

*http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=5194 Fish of Thailand Opsarius Fish described in 1931 {{Cyprinidae-stub