Cyprinion semiplotum, (McClelland, 1839) - Assamese Kingfish, Emperor Round Face Barb; Parmec assamský (Czech), Rajah-mas (Hindi)...
Max length: 60.0 cm TL male/unsexed; http://www.fishbase.us/summary/Cyprinio ... lotum.html
> Cyprininae > Semiplotini Bleeker, 1863 (schaafbekbarbelen / Hornhautbarben / semiplotines):
Cyprinion Heckel, 1843; Kantaka Hora, 1942; Osteochilichthys Hora, 1942; Scaphiodonichthys Vinciguerra,1890; Schizocypris Regan, 1914; Semiplotus Bleeker, 1860
Taxonomic Notes: Originally described under the genus Cyprinus as Cyprinus semiplotus by McClelland (1839) from the Brahmaputra River, Assam. Day (1878) described the species as Semiplotus mcclellandi. Hora (1937) described the same as Semiplotus semiplotus. On the basis of its jaw anatomy, Howes (1982) placed the genus Semiplotus Bleeker under Cyprinion Heckel. Talwar and Jhingran (1991) recognised Semiplotus as subgenus of Cyprinion without justification. However, Banarescu and Herzig (1995) recognised Semiplotus as distinct genus, as it has more branch dorsal fin rays than Cyprinion. Sen (1985), Jayaram (1999), Vishwanath and Kosygin (2000), Bagra et al. (2009) recognised the fish as Semiplotus semiplotus.
Cyprinion semiplotum is likely restricted to hill streams of the Ganges-Brahmaputra drainage in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. Records from Myanmar require confirmation, but presence within adjacent connected basins is possible and a number of sources cite the species presence in Myanmar. The area of occupancy, population and number of mature individuals of the fish is considered to have declined at a rate of over 30% in the last ten years and is predicted to further decline by 30-50% over the next 10 years due to over-exploitation, habitat loss, deforestation and pollution. It is assessed as Vulnerable at present, but records from other parts of India and from Myanmar require confirmation, and further expert survey across the species range is required to confirm its distribution.
Range Description: The species is known from India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, North Bengal, Sikkim, Darjeeling); Nepal (Narayangarh, Khairenitar, Tribeni, Nepal Terai); Bhutan (Tora River, Phuntshaling). Day (1878) reported that it inhabited the rivers of Assam, especially in the upper portion but was also found as low as Goalpara and Myanmar. However, Menon (2004) remarked that the fish is confined to upper Assam. Mukerji (1933) included this species in the list of fishes of Mali Hka river, upper Myanmar without giving systematic accounts. However, Vishwanath and Kosygin (2000) remarked that the species is perhaps present only in the Ganga-Brahmaputra drainage. A record from Mahanudi, Orissa, in India, requires confirmation given the habitat requirements of the species.
Countries: Native: Bhutan; India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Darjiling, Sikkim); Nepal.
Habitat and Ecology: The species inhabits moderate to fast flowing mountain streams and rivers with rocky beds. Juveniles inhabit shallow and fast flowing water, while larger ones inhabit deeper water where water current is comparatively slow. Benthopelagic. The species is gregarious and susceptible to population depletion.
> Icthyofaunal Diversity from Pagladia river of Assam
> Zoo-geographical distribution and the status of coldwater fish in Nepal.
> Freshwater Fishes of Iran Cyprinidae with Abramis to Cyprinus
(223 STIRPS 2. Chondrostomini. Cartilage lip carps.
To refer to this article use this url: http://www.zoologischemededelingen.nl/86/nr01/a01
Cyprinion Heck., Fisch. Syriens p. 25, Nachtr. p. 183.
Body oblong or elongate, compressed, covered with large scales. Lower jaw attenuated into a thin, cartilaginous edge. Barbels 2, upper jaw barbels. Snout entire, protruding anterior to the mouth. Mouth bare. Gape inferior, transverse. Dorsal fin starting anterior to or above ventral fins and ending anterior to anal fin, posterior simple ray bony, serrated. Pharyngeal teeth spoon-shaped 2.3.4/4.3.2. Two rows of larger scales on the tapering anterior part of the back.
Remark. Under his Temnochiles with a bare mouth and armed with a dorsal spine Heckel has placed 4 genera, i.e. Cyprinion, Dillonia, Schizopyge and Scaphiodon. Among these Cyprinion would be recognizable by its two upper jaw barbels, its long dorsal fin with a serrated spine and squamae distichae [a double row of scales] on the neck. It seems to be a very natural genus. Apart from 5 species of Persia and Syria, which he knew from nature, Heckel placed in it Chondrostoma aculeatum Val. and Cyprinus semiplotus McCl. – Chondrostoma aculeatum indeed seems to be a Cyprinion, although it belongs to an aberrant type with a very slender body and a short dorsal fin (D. 10). On the contrary Cyprinus semiplotus McCl. does not answer to the generic diagnosis of Heckel and can neither be placed in Dillonia or Schizopyge or Scaphiodon. Above this species is already placed in a proper genus with the name Semiplotus.)