Esomus metallicus Ahl, 1923
photo by Baird, I.G.

Family:  Danionidae (Danios), subfamily: Esominae
Max. size:  7.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  Asia: Mekong, Salween and Chao Phraya basins; also from the northern Malay Peninsula.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-8; Anal soft rays: 8-8. Has a prominent midlateral stripe on the body; two pairs of barbels, with the anterior (rostral) barbels extending at most to posterior margin of eye (Ref. 27732).
Biology:  Occurs in rivers and swamps (Ref. 57235). Usually associated with standing or slow-flowing, shallow waters (Ref. 27732). Abundant in flooded rice-paddies, canals and ditches. Avoids large rivers and only moves from temporarily inundated habitats if necessitated by seasonal habitat disappearance . Moves into seasonally inundated areas as soon as they are flooded. Feeds on zooplankton, terrestrial insects and aquatic insect larvae. Occasionally sold fresh and used to make prahoc (Ref. 12693, 57235).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 26 March 2011 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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