KING OF FISH

KELAH

Family :Cyprinidae
Local Name :Kelah
English Name :Malaysian Mahseer
Scientific Name :Tor tambroides

Size:

Average size 10 - 30 centimetres and weighs about 1 - 2kg. Can grow to more than 7.0 kg and more than 50 cm in length though this size is very rarely caught

Morphology:
Large scales present on the body. Colour yellowish with gold tinge. Present one pair of barbels at both ends of the mouth.

Biology:
Known to spawn in the upper parts of the river systems. Being an omnivore, the diet mainly consists of fruits that fall into the river. They like to play against rapids. The spawners spawn in the rivers where are rapids. Eggs are deposited on rock or small stones where the water is calm so that the eggs are not washed away. Once hatched, the youngs will remain and eat on algae growing on rocks.

Distribution:
Known to be found in Sungai Pertam, Sungai Terengganu Mati, Sungai Cicir, Sungai Perapik, Sungai Kerbat, Sungai Chendana, Sungai Chaching and the National Park area where the water is clear

Economic Importance:
Highly priced fish. Market price ranges from RM18.00.00 to RM25.00/kg. Has potential for aquaculture especially in net cage culture in reservoirs where the water is clear

SEBARAU

Family:Cyprinidae
Local Name:Sebarau
English Name:Carp
Scientific Name:Hampala macrolepidota

Size
Average size 10 - 20 centimetres and can grow to more than 40.0 centimetres in length and weighs about than 5 kg.

Morphology
Presence of a black diamond-shaped band running vertically from the dorsal fin downwards to the belly, but disappears when the fish is more than 1.0 kg. The dorsal fin and the caudal fin lobes have also black stripes and this remains until adult, but is less conspicious. Body silverish grey in colour.

Biology
The fish spawn in the upstreams of the rivers. The youngs then either dominate the rivers or move into the lake. It is known that tourists have been able to catch snapshots of the fish climbing the rapids to go to their spawning ground. Diet consists of fish, shrimps and insects.

Distribution
Mostly confined to the rivers but is also present in the lake.

Economic Importance
Readily accepted by locals as a food fish. Market price is about RM7.00/ kg.

TOMAN

Family :Channidae
Local Name:Toman
English Name:Snakehead
Scientific Name:Channa micropeltes

Size
Can easily attain a length of 1.0 metre and weighs more that 10 kg.

Biology
Being a carnivore the diet consists mainly of smaller fishes. They go up river to spawn in small pools where the water is calm and there is a presence of dried leaves. Eggs are deposited onto the leaves and the will guard the eggs until they hatch. They have very strong maternal instincts. They guard the youngs even when they migrate downstream. Sometimes shoals of the young, with reddish stripes along the body can be seen swimming around with the parents close by

Distribution
Found in rivers, littoral and open water areas.

Economic Importance
In fresh form the demand is not very good. Formally the market price was only RM2.00 - RM3.00 per kg. In its dried form they have good export potential, and fetch between RM8.00 - RM10.00. Now the fresh fish fetches quite a high prices as they are exported to Singapore.

TAPAH

Family:Clupeidae
Local Name:Tapah
English Name:Giant river catfish
Scientific Name:Wallago leerii

Size
Can reach a length of more than one metre and weighs up to 20 kg.

Biology
Being a carnivore the diet consists of fish, shrimps and other living organisms. They spawn in the river where there are sandy beds. The spawners go in pairs and deposit eggs on the sand. They guard the eggs until they hatch.

Distribution
Known to exist in Sungai Leban

Economic Importance
Perhaps has potential in the aquarium industry.