Pristolepis fasciata (Bleeker, 1851)
Malayan leaffish
photo by Jean-Francois Helias / Fishing Adventures Thailand

Family:  Pristolepididae (Mudperches)
Max. size:  31 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 7; dH range: 10, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo (Ref. 27732). Reported from the Maeklong River (Ref. 37766).
Diagnosis:  Compressed body; a small and only slightly protractile mouth; an interrupted lateral line; brown color with about 6-8 blackish vertical bars.
Biology:  Found in slow or standing waters, among bushes of shore vegetation (Ref. 27732). Occurs in medium to large-sized rivers and flooded fields (Ref. 12975), lakes, ponds and swamps (Ref. 41236). Feeds on filamentous algae, submerged land plants, fruits and seeds with some aquatic insects and crustaceans (Ref. 12693). Undertakes lateral migrations from the Mekong River to the floodplains during the flood season and back again at the onset of the dry season (Ref. 37770).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 August 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.