Giant barb
📖 Overview
Found in large rivers and seasonally in canals and floodplains . Adults prefer big pools in the Mekong at least part of the year while juveniles are mostly seen in swamps and small tributaries, from where they are sometimes collected and stocked in ponds . The young can acclimatize to live in ponds, canals and swamps. A migratory species . Enters flooded forest . Young individuals occur in October in the lower Mekong basin . Feeds on algae, phytoplankton and fruits of inundated terrestrial plants and detritus . Its numbers have declined seriously. Individual fishes rarely survive to reach reproductive maturity. Its catch should be strictly regulated by size. A very desirable food fish, sometimes eaten fresh or pickled . Maximum length of 300 cm needs confirmation. Threatened due to over harvesting and habitat loss .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0. Head very large, about 2.5 times in SL; no barbels; no dorsal spine; 90-110 long gill rakers on first gill arch .: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Giant barb is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous . Tropical
🌿 Ecology
algae, phytoplankton and fruits of inundated terrestrial plants (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Giant barb is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Giant barb is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Giant barb has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Giant barb.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 1 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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