Amblypharyngodon chulabhornae VIDTHAYANON & KOTTELAT, 1990

Etymology

Amblypharyngodon: from the Ancient Greek ἀμβλύς (amblús), meaning ‘blunted’, φάρυξ (pháruks), meaning ‘throat’, and ὀδών (odṓn), meaning ‘toothed’, in reference to the flattened or concave shape of the pharyngeal teeth in this genus.

chulabhornae: named for H.R.H. Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol of Thailand, to honour her “interest and patronage of research and development in science and technology, including biology and fisheries”.

Classification

Order: Cypriniformes Family: Cyprinidae

Distribution

Widespread in Thailand where it has been recorded from the Maeklong and Chao Phraya drainages and some smaller basins in upper peninsular Thailand, plus the Mekong system where its range extends into Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia. A feral population was detected at the Kranji marshes, Singapore, in 2011 but it remains unknown if the species has become established on a permanent basis.

Type locality is ‘Thailand: Nong Khai Province: Amphoe Muang, Nong Tua, 17°52’N 102°49’E;’.

Habitat

Apparently displays a preference for wetlands and marginal zones with little water movement where macrophytes and floating aquatic vegetation proliferate, and also moves into areas of inundated grassland during the wet season.

In some cases it has successfully colonised artificial habitats such as irrigation canals or rice paddy fields.

Maximum Standard Length

30 – 40 mm.

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

Minimum base dimensions of 90 ∗ 30 cm are recommended.

Maintenance

Best maintained in a densely-planted aquarium and is an excellent choice for the carefully-aquascaped set-up. The addition of some surface vegetation, floating or otherwise, also seems to be appreciated and adds a more natural feel.

Filtration does not need to be particularly strong as it mostly hails from sluggish waters, but it must never be introduced to a biologically immature set-up as it can be susceptible to swings in water chemistry.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 18 – 28 °C

pH: 6.0 – 8.0

Hardness: 36 – 215 ppm

Diet

Likely to feed on small invertebrates, algae and other zooplankton in nature. In the aquarium it will probably accept dried foods of a suitable size but should also be offered meals of small live and/or frozen fare such as Daphnia, Artemia and suchlike.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

This species is very peaceful indeed and places no special demands in terms of water chemistry thus it can be combined with many other species. As always when selecting a compatible community of fish thorough research is essential, and its small adult size must be a consideration.

It’s a schooling fish by nature and should be kept in a group of at least 8-10 specimens. Maintaining decent numbers will not only make the fish less nervous but result in a more effective, natural-looking display.

Sexual Dimorphism

Mature females are noticeably rounder-bellied and likely to grow a little larger than males.

Reproduction

Unrecorded, but probably an egg-scatterer with no brood care post-spawning.

NotesTop ↑

This species is almost unknown in the aquarium hobby but may be available as occasional bycatch among shipments of other fishes.

The genus Amblypharyngodon currently contains five valid species, and A. chulabhornae can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: 42-50 (vs. 50-79) scales in the lateral row;  lateral line incomplete with 6-7 (vs. 7-23) perforated scales; 4-5 scales on a transverse row between the lateral line and pelvic-fin base. All members of the genus lack barbels.

References

1. Vidthayanon, C. and M. Kottelat, 1990 - Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 38(1): 45-57
   Amblypharyngodon chulabhornae sp. nov., a new cyprinid fish from Thailand and Kampuchea.
2. Kottelat, M., 2013 - The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement 27: 1-663
   The fishes of the inland waters of southeast Asia: a catalogue and core bibiography of the fishes known to occur in freshwaters, mangroves and estuaries.
3. Kottelat, M., 2001 - WHT Publications, Colombo: 1-198
   Fishes of Laos
4. Rainboth, W. J., 1996 - Rome, FAO: 1-265
   FAO species identification field guide for fishery purposes. Fishes of the Cambodian Mekong.