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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🎣 Game Fish 🌡️ Tropical 🎣 Game Fish

Belodontichthys Truncatus

Belodontichthys truncatus Kottelat & Ng, 1999
Max Length
60 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
4.1
Depth
-
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
64.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Occurs in medium to large-sized rivers . Found from middle depths to the surface in deeper parts of large rivers. Feeds on smaller fish near the water surface. An excellent game fish which can be caught using hook and line. Presently large numbers are being taken near Stung Treng in Cambodia by explosives . Migrates upstream through the Khone Falls in June-July with other silurids and enters the flooded forest in July-October, where it feeds heavily on cyprinids of the genus Henicorhynchus (pa soi, identified as Cirrhinus spp.) . Marketed fresh or dried and salted .

Scientific Name
Belodontichthys truncatus
Authority
Kottelat & Ng, 1999
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
60 cm
Trophic Level
4.1
Resilience
Low
Vulnerability
64.00/100
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal soft rays (total): 3 - 4; Anal soft rays: 79 - 96. Differs from its sole congener, B. dinema, in having a shorter pectoral fin, 21.9-25.8% SL, versus 25.9-28.9; a shorter head, 20.9-23.9% SL, versus 24.2-26.0; and a shorter snout, 35.4-39.6% HL, versus 39.0-43.1 . Strongly compressed head and body; upturned mouth with conspicuous large teeth; pectoral fin longer than head .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Belodontichthys Truncatus is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

small fish
crustaceans
cephalopods

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
4.1±0.7
Food Items

smaller fish near the water surface

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00562 × L3 (TL)
Max TL
60cm
Dorsal Rays
4
Anal Rays
88

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Low
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
64.00/100
High vulnerability
Trophic Level
4.1
Apex / Top predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Kottelat & Ng, 1999

🎣 Angling Guide

Difficulty
Beginner
Fight Rating
strong pulls with head-shakes
Best Seasons
spring,summer,fall
Best Time
incoming tide, dawn and dusk
Line Weight
15-30
Rod Type
medium-heavy spinning
Hook Size
2/0-5/0
Catch & Release
✓ Recommended
Best Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Techniques
bottom fishing popping cork soft plastics live bait
Bait & Lures
live shrimp cut mullet soft plastic paddle-tails popping corks
Recommended Tackle
  • medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
  • 30-50 lb braid
  • fluorocarbon leader
Where to Find Them
  • grass flats
  • oyster bars
  • marsh drains
  • deeper channel edges
Tips & Tricks
Popping cork technique attracts fish from distance. Fish moving tides.
Catch & Release Tips

Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.

Regulations Summary

⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.

📊 Population Dynamics

Year Region Index Notes
- - -

👥 Community & Contribute

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