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 | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Actinopterygii |
Order: | Cypriniformes |
Family: | Cyprinidae |
Genus: | AaptosyaxRainboth, 1991 |
Species: | A. grypus
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Binomial name | |
Aaptosyax grypus Rainboth, 1991
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This fish can reach a length of 130 centimetres (51 in) and weight of 30 kilograms (66 lb).[2] Until 2022 no adult individuals had been seen of this species, until a specimen was found at a fish market.[4]