Common name: black labeo

Synonyms and Other Names: Morulius chrysophekadion (Bleeker, 1850); black shark

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Identification key and references were given by Kottelat (1985). Distinguishing characteristics were also given by Sterba (1973). Color photographs appeared in Axelrod et al. (1985).

Size: 90 cm TL.

Native Range: Tropical Asia, including the Mekong and Chao Phraya bains of Cambodia, Thailand, Loas, and Vietnam. Also, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Borneo (Kottelat 1985; Poulsen et al. 2004).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: Labeo chrysophekadion is primarily herbivorous, consuming algae, periphyton, portions of terrestrial plants, and detritus (Poulsen et al. 2004). Migratory spawner, migrates upstream from large deep pools and channels in the Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers into shallow floodplain habitats during the rainy season (May-June; Poulsen et al. 2004).

Means of Introduction: Probable aquarium release or escape from fish farm.

Status: Failed in Florida.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: This species is a popular aquarium fish.

References: (click for full references)

Axelrod, H.R., W.E. Burgess, N. Pronek, and J.G. Walls. 1985. Dr. Axelrod's atlas of freshwater aquarium fishes. Tropical Fish Hobbyists Publications, Inc, Neptune City, NJ.

Courtenay, W.R., Jr., D.A. Hensley, J.N. Taylor, and J.A. McCann. 1984. Distribution of exotic fishes in the continental United States. Pages 41-77 in W.R. Courtenay, Jr., and J.R. Stauffer, Jr., eds. Distribution, biology and management of exotic fishes. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Courtenay, W.R., Jr. and J.R. Stauffer. 1990. The introduced fish problem and the aquarium fish industry. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 21(3):145-159.

Courtenay, W.R., Jr., D.P. Jennings, and J.D. Williams. 1991. Appendix 2: Exotic fishes. Pages 97-107 in Robins, C.R., R.M. Bailey, C.E. Bond, J.R. Brooker, E.A. Lachner, R.N. Lea, and W.B. Scott, eds. Common names and scientific names of fishes from the United States and Canada. 5th edition. American Fisheries Society. Bethesda, MD.

Kottelat, M. 1985. Freshwater fishes of Kampuchea. Hydrobiologia 121:249-279.

Poulsen, A.F., K.G. Hortle, J. Valbo-Jorgensen, S. Chan, C.K. Chhuon, S. Viravong, K. Bouakhamvongsa, U. Suntornratana, N. Yoorong, T.T. Nguyen, and B.Q. Tran. 2004. Distribution and ecology of some important riverine fish species of the Mekong River basin. MRC Technical Paper No. 10. Mekong River Commission, Phnom Penh.

Roberts, T.R. 1989. The freshwater fishes of Western Borneo (Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia). Memoirs of the California Academy of Sciences 14:1-210.

Sterba, G. 1973. Freshwater fishes of the world. Two volumes. Tropical Fish Hobbyist Publications, Inc, Neptune City, NJ.

Other Resources:
US Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Risk Screening Summary for Labeo chrysophekadion

Author: Leo Nico, Matt Neilson, and Bill Loftus

Peer Review Date: 10/3/2012

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.