Labeo erythropterus Valenciennes 1842

Has 11-12 branched dorsal-fin rays; 38-42 gill rakers on lower arm of first arch; lower lip papillae along anterior edge in juveniles with papillae disappearing in adults (Ref. 12693).

Potamodromous. Migrating within streams, migratory in rivers, e.g. Saliminus, Moxostoma, Labeo. Migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km.

Occurs in bottom depths of large rivers in lower Mekong, including the upper edge of the freshwater tidal zone. Typically found in fairly fast currents, although it is encountered in the seasonally sluggish Tonlé Sap in Cambodia. Enters flooded forests, preferring areas with at least some current. Herbivorous, feeding on bottom algae, phytoplankton, periphyton and detritus. Large fish are marketed fresh, smaller ones are made into prahoc. Known to proliferate in impoundments (Ref. 12693).

fisheries: commercial