For the first time ever we were able to import a quite bizarre species of carp from Southeast Asia: Bangana behri. This up to 45 cm long relative of Labeo has in adult state a horn on the head and a lot of tubercles in the face. In its native range – the Mekong basin – the species is a highly demanded food fish. The pictures from a fish market in Laos have been kindly provided by Mike Meuschke.
Currently our specimens are 6-8 cm long, so they still have to grow a bit. The fish is not only interesting for public aquaria, but might also be a interesting species for heated koi ponds. Most probably the species will be quite useful here, for Bangana behri is reported to feed mainly on algae in the wild. However, as it is a tropical species, water temperatures must not be under 20°C on a long time sight.
Against conspecifics Bangana behri are – as most Labeo-type fish – a bit quarrelsome. In our fishhouse about 30 specimens are together in a tank and so they live peacefully together; but it can be expected that two or three specimens will not do so good. So one should keep them either solitary or in larger groups, a rule that is also true for almost all fish of the Labeo relationship.
Another interesting by-catch reached us along with Bangana behri and possibly these two fish are the first time ever specimens in Europe: Labeo pierrei. This Labeo even grows up to 80 cm. Sadly one has to be concerned a bit about this fish. Scientific authorities have placed the species as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. This is the last warning stage before a species is regarded to be endangered. The catches of Labeo pierrei, which is a much sought for food fish, are heavily decreasing.
For our customers: the fish have code 368682 on our stocklist. Please note that we exclusively supply the wholesale trade.
Lexicon: Bangana: the native name for one of the species in Bengal. behri: dedication name for Otto Behr from Lopez, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania.
Common name: Two-headed carp
Postscriptum: Due to the unique head structure this species is also placed in the monotypical genus Incisilabeo. The full correct name is in that case Incisilabeo behri Fowler 1937
Text: Frank Schäfer, photos: Mike Meuschke & Frank Schäfer
| Angaben zum Tier | |
|---|---|
| Herkunft | Thailand |
| Verfügbare Größe in cm | 6-8 |
