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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Tropical

Siamese mud carp

Henicorhynchus siamensis Sauvage, 1881
Max Length
20 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
Trophic Level
2
Depth
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
19.00/100
Typical Length
Depth Zone

📖 Overview

Often found in great abundance at midwater to bottoms depths in large and small rivers. Feeds on algae, periphyton and phytoplankton. Not known to prosper in impoundments. Well known for its annual trophic migrations out to the floodplains in wet season. Returns to rivers as water levels begin to fall in October with numbers increasing through December and then slowly declining . From just upstream Phnom Penh in Cambodia to the Khone Falls this species is reported to migrate upstream during the period October-February. At Muk Kompul in Kandal Province, it migrates upstream just before the full moon. Further upstream near Kratie, migration occurs during full moon and at Sambor, migration takes place immediately after full moon. Near the Khone Falls, upstream movements continue through March but in April fish are moving in both direction. From May to July, at the start of the rainy season, it migrates downstream from the Khone Falls to the Mekong Delta. Here, the fish is reported to move out of the Mekong into canals and flooded areas in August-September. When water recedes in November-December, fish migrates to the Mekong again. Upstream the Khone Falls near Ubolratchatani in Thailand, this species moves upstream between February and June, consisting mainly of juveniles in February-March and of adults (15-20 cm) in April-June. Further upstream from Xayabouri in Laos to Chiang Khong in Thailand, upstream migrations takes place between March to July, first by juveniles, later by adults . Used to make prahoc along the Tonlé Sap, Cambodia. Often seen in the aquarium trade .

Scientific Name
Henicorhynchus siamensis
Authority
Sauvage, 1881
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Tropical
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
20 cm
Trophic Level
2
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
19.00/100
Migration
Potamodromous
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following set of characters: mouth terminal, strongly oblique (35–45° to midline of body); no maxillary barbels; edge of rostral cap is straight, no medial indent; flank immaculate, no longitudinal stripes; caudal peduncle immaculate, no spot; caudal fin mostly clear, with scattered melanophores; in life, pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins hyaline .Cross section: compressed.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Siamese mud carp is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Siamese mud carp is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Size at Maturity
20cm TL

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous . Tropical

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater
Migration
Potamodromous
Trophic Level
2
Food Items

algae, periphyton and phytoplankton

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00955 × L2.99 (TL)
Max TL
20cm

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2011

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
19.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
2
Omnivore / Planktivore
Climate Zone
Tropical
Described By
Sauvage, 1881

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Siamese mud carp is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • 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
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked — Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 17.8 g
Omega-3 (total) 494 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Siamese mud carp has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Aspidoparia siamensis Sauvage 1881 Synonym
Cirrhina sauvagei Fang 1942 Synonym
Cirrhinus marginipinnis Fowler 1937 Synonym
Cirrhinus siamensis Sauvage 1881 Synonym
Crossocheilus reba Hamilton 1822 Synonym
Crossocheilus thai Fowler 1944 Synonym
Gymnostomus siamensis Sauvage 1881 Synonym
Henicorhynchus siamensis de Beaufort 1927 Synonym
Morara siamensis Sauvage 1881 Synonym
Tylognathus brunneus Fowler 1934 Synonym
Tylognathus siamensis de Beaufort 1927 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 3 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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