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Edit Macrochirichthys macrochirus

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Name

Scientific name

Macrochirichthys macrochirus

Described by

Authority Valenciennes, Year 1844, Bracketed

Family

Cyprinidae

Common names

Giant Sword Minnow

Photograph credits

All 6 credited

Summary

The giant sword minnow, Macrochirichthys macrochirus, is a large pelagic cyprinid widespread in Southeast Asia, from the Mekong to Borneo a…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

800mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Not recorded

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–26°C, pH 6–8

Hardness

2–15dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Not recorded

Temperament
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Social needs

Solitary or specimen

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Borneo, Java, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Baram, Barito, Batang Hari, Chao Phraya, Danau Sentarum, Indragiri, Kapuas, Mae Klong, Mahakam, Mekong, Rajang, Songkhla, Tapi, Tonlé Sap

Writing

Etymology

Macrochirichthys: from the Ancient Greek μακρός (makrós), meaning 'long', and ἰχθύς (ikhthús), meaning ‘fish’, in allusion to the long pectoral fins in this ge…

Distribution

Widespread in Southeast Asia, including the Mekong basin in southern China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the Chao Phraya and Mae Klong systems in cen…

Habitat

A pelagic species displaying a preference for large lakes, main river channels and major tributaries, but moves into flooded forests and other inundated zones …

Aquarium size

Suitable only for public installations or the very largest private aquaria.

Maintenance

The aquarium should ideally be designed to resemble a flowing stream or river with a substrate of variably-sized rocks, sand, fine gravel, and some larger wate…

Water conditions

Not written yet

Diet

An obligate carnivore with juveniles feeding on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates but becoming increasingly piscivorous as they grow.

Behaviour and compatibility

Best kept alone, or with similarly-sized, non-aggressive fishes it cannot fit into its mouth since it’s otherwise quite peaceful and easily-dominated. It can a…

Sexual dimorphism

Not written yet

Reproduction

Not written yet

Notes

This species is unsuitable for the majority of private aquaria although juveniles are traded on occasion. It is the only member of its genus, although there is…

References

References

7 on this profile