The giant salmon carp[2] (Aaptosyax grypus), also termed the Mekong giant salmon carp,[1] is a species of freshwater fish in the family Cyprinidae and the single species in the monotypic genus Aaptosyax.[3] It is endemic to the middle reaches of the Mekong River in northern Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Its population is much reduced (>90%) as a result of overfishing and habitat degradation, and it is now considered Critically Endangered.[1]
| Giant salmon carp | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Family: | Cyprinidae |
| Genus: | Aaptosyax Rainboth, 1991 |
| Species: | A. grypus
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| Binomial name | |
| Aaptosyax grypus Rainboth, 1991
| |
This fish can reach a length of 130 centimetres (51 in) and weight of 30 kilograms (66 lb).[2] Between 2004 and 2022 no confirmed sightings of adult individuals of this species were made, until a specimen was found at a fish market[4] in Cambodia.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c Vidthayanon, C. (2011). "Aaptosyax grypus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2011: e.T9A13090494. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-1.RLTS.T9A13090494.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Aaptosyax grypus Rainboth, 1991". FishBase. 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ "Genus Aaptosyax Rainboth 1991". FishWisePro. 1990. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
- ^ University of Nevada Reno (2022-09-26). "Feared extinct, the 'Mekong Ghost' fish resurfaces". YubaNet. Reno, Nevada. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Christina Larson (2024-10-23). "Giant fish thought to be extinct is spotted in the Mekong River". Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
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