Laotian shad
| Tenualosa thibaudeaui | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Clupeiformes |
| Family: | Dorosomatidae |
| Genus: | Tenualosa |
| Species: | T. thibaudeaui
|
| Binomial name | |
| Tenualosa thibaudeaui (J. Durand, 1940)
| |
The Laotian shad (Tenualosa thibaudeaui) is a species of fish in the family Clupeidae. It is endemic to the Mekong River drainage in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The species has a short, stout body with a broad, highly compressed profile. The mouth is wide, with the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper jaw. The eyes are covered by a thin membrane. The scales are large but easily shed. The body is silver, with vivid bluish-purple spots along the sides. Fully grown individuals reach a body length of approximately 30 cm (1.0 ft).[2]
This species of shad exhibits migratory behavior, moving up and down rivers to spawn and feed. It is a filter feeder, consuming only plankton and detritus. Locally, it is used as a food fish, and wild-caught specimens are occasionally collected for the aquarium trade. However, it is difficult to keep in captivity, as individuals are easily startled and their large scales shed readily.[2]
References
- ^ Vidthayanon, C. (2011). "Tenualosa thibaudeaui". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011 e.T21627A9303248. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T21627A9303248.en. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b Vidthayanon, Chavalit (2004). Freshwater Fishes Handbook (in Thai). Bangkok: Sarakadee. p. 44. ISBN 974-484-148-6.