Osteochilus vittatus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Osteochilus vittatus |
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The bonylip barb (scientific name: Osteochilus vittatus) is a type of fish that belongs to the cyprinid family. This means it's related to carp! You can find this fish swimming in the freshwaters of Southeast Asia.
People also call it by other names like Hasselt's bony-lipped barb, hard-lipped barb, or silver sharkminnow. This fish can grow up to about 32 centimeters long. That's almost as long as a school ruler! The "SL" means its Standard Length, measured from its snout to the base of its tail. The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) lists this fish as "Least Concern" (LC), which means it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
Where It Lives
This fish is found in many places across Southeast Asia. It lives in countries like Malaysia, Indonesia (on islands like Java and Sumatra), and Borneo. You can also find it in Indochina (countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar) and even in southern China (in a place called Yunnan). It swims in big rivers like the Salween, Mekong, and Chao Phraya, as well as many smaller streams and rivers.
Its Home Environment
The bonylip barb likes to live in many different kinds of freshwater places. It can be found in low-lying marshlands, lakes, and even in special swampy areas called peat swamps. It also lives in rivers and streams that flow down from hills. This fish usually prefers large streams that flow slowly, especially those with muddy, sandy, or rocky bottoms.
What It Eats
Adult bonylip barbs enjoy eating plants that grow in the water. They especially like the roots of plants like Hydrilla verticillata. They also munch on tiny, one-celled algae and some small crustaceans, which are like tiny shrimp or crabs. Younger bonylip barbs are known to eat detritus, which is decaying plant and animal matter. It's like nature's recycling!
How People Use It
The bonylip barb is an important fish for fishing in the Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins. Many people catch it for food. Sometimes, you might even see this fish in pet stores, as it's occasionally sold for aquariums.
