Lycothrissa crocodilus (Bleeker, 1850)
Sabretoothed thryssa
Lycothrissa crocodilus
photo by Roberts, T.R.

Family:  Engraulidae (Anchovies), subfamily: Coiliinae
Max. size:  30 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  pelagic; freshwater; brackish, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: rivers, lakes and estuaries of Banjermasin, Pontianak, Sinkawang, middle part of Kapuas River, Kalimantan; Banjuasin, Palembang, Djambi, Sumatra; Chao Praya River as far up as Lake Bueng-borapet or 210 km from the sea, Thailand; Tonle Sap, Cambodia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 44-48. Belly with 16 to 19 keeled scutes from pectoral fin base to anus. Maxilla short, tip blunt; first supra-maxilla absent. Lower gill rakers short, with large tooth-like serrae. Anal fin origin before dorsal fin origin by about an eye diameter. Pectoral fins wholly or partly black, caudal yellow with black margin The enlarged jaw teeth distinguish it from any other Indo-West Pacific anchovy (Ref. 189). Relatively small head; flat dorsal profile; long axillary scales at pectoral and pelvic bases (Ref. 43281).
Biology:  A riverine and lacustrine species, but perhaps passing from estuaries into the sea. More data needed; rather few specimens are in museum collections (Ref. 189). Often ascends into freshwater (Ref. 12693). Occurs in medium to large-sized rivers of the lower Mekong (Ref. 12975). Apparently non-migratory (Ref. 12693), but reported to undertake migrations in the Mekong mainstream (Ref. 37770). From the Khone Falls to the Mekong delta, it migrates upstream during the dry season from October to March and downstream at the onset of the monsoon season from May to July (Ref. 37770). These migrations are reported to be triggered by the receding or rising of the water levels (Ref. 37770). Feeds on crustaceans, insects and small fishes (Ref. 12693). Use to make prahoc (Ref. 12693).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 December 2019 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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