M T NH LOI C

NG BNG SNG CU LONG, VIT NAM

Fishes of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

NH XUT BN I HC CN TH

M T NH LOI C

NG BNG SNG CU LONG, VIT NAM

Fishes of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

TRN c nh
SHIBUKAWA Koichi
NGUYN Thanh Phng
H Phc Hng
TRN Xun Li
MAI Vn Hiu
UTSUGI Kenzo

Fish photographs in front cover (left to right): Lates calcalifer; Scatophagus argus; Gobiopterus chuno.
Fish photograph in title page photograph: Periophthalmus chrysospilos.
Fish photographs in back cover (top to bottom): Catlocarpio siamensis; Setipinna sp. (cf. breviceps); Rasbora urophthalmoides; Arius nenga; Pangasius krempfi; Pseudobagarius filifer; Phallostethus cuulong; Oryzias haugiangensis;
Leptosynanceia astroblepa; Harpadon nehereus; Dermogenys siamensis; Doryichthys boaja; Batrachomoeus
trispinosus; Datnioides polota; Mastacembelus erythrotaenia; Phenablennius heyligeri; Brachirus elongatus;
Tonlesapia tsukawakii; Betta sp. (cf., mahachaiensis); Brachygobius sp. (cf. aggregatus); Oligolepis acutipennis;
Periophthalmodon septemradiatus; Tetraodon nigrovirisis.

Published by
Can Tho University Publishing House
No. 211, 30/4 Street, Ninh Kieu District, Can Tho City, Vietnam
Copyright 2013 Nagao Natural Environment Foundation, Tokyo, Japan
First published in 2013
All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of the publishers and copyright holders.
Printed by Can Tho General Printing Joint Stock Company, Can Tho, Vietnam.
For bibliographic purposes, this book should be cited as follow:
Tran, D.D., K. Shibukawa, P.T. Nguyen, H.P. Ha, L.X. Tran, H.V. Mai and K. Utsugi. 2013. M t nh Loi C
ng Bng Sng Cu Long, Vit Nam. Fishes of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Can Tho University Publishing
House, Can Tho. 174 pages.
Acknowledgements. We would like to thank all the local officers who work for the Peoples Committee and
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in 13 provinces of the Mekong Delta for their innumerable
assisstance in many field surveies for our collecting the fish samples. We are also grealy indebted to the col-leagues
and students in Can Tho University for their useful support and kind help, especially Mr. Nguyen Van Thuong for
his comments and suggestions on the manuscript. Following persons helped in identification of various fishes: K.
Hatooka (Osaka Museum of Natural History, Japan, for a moray); H.-C. Ho (National Museum of Marine Biology
& Aquarium, Taiwan, for some eels); A. Iwata (Kyoto University, Japan, for some gobies); Y. Iwatsuki (Miyazaki
University, Japan, for some gerreid fishes); Z. Jaafer (National University of Singapore, Singapore, for some gobies); S.
Kimura (Mie University, Japan, for ariid, carangid and gerreid fishes); H.K. Larson (Australia, for some gobies); E.O.
Murdy (National Science Foundation, USA, for some gobies); H.H. Ng (National University of Singapore, Singapore,
for akysid catfishes); H. Senou (Kanagawa Prefectural Museum, Japan, for mullets); D.G. Smith (Smithonian
Institution, USA., for moringuid eel). E.O. Murdy also helped with English in some parts ("Introduction", etc.).
Li cm t. Chng ti xin chn thnh cm n cn b ca y ban nhn dn cng nh S Nng nghip v pht trin
nng thn ca 13 tnh thnh ca khu vc ng Bng Sng Cu Long c rt nhiu ch dn hu ch trong qu trnh
chng ti thu mu a phng. Chng ti cng rt bit n s ng vin v gip ca qy ng nghip v cc em
sinh vin Trng i Hc Cn Th trong sut thi gian thc hin nghin cu ny, c bit cm n Thy Nguyn
Vn Thng c bn tho v cho nhng kin qu bo. Ngoi ra, chng ti cng cm n cc thnh vin sau y
gip trong vic phn loi mt s loi c nh: K.Hatooka (Bo tng quc gia Osaka, nh danh mt s loi
c chnh); H.C. Ho (Bo tng sinh vt bin i Loan, nh danh mt s loi ln); A. Iwata (i hc Kyoto, Nht
Bn, nh danh mt s loi c bng); Y. Iwatsuki (i hoc Miyazaki, Nht Bn, nh danh mt s loi c mm); Z.
Jaafer (i hc Quc Gia Singapore, nh danh mt s loi c bng); S. Kimura (i hc Mie, Nht Bn, nh danh
mt s loi c t, c kh v c mm); H.K. Larson (c, nh danh mt s loi c bng); E.O. Murdy (Qu Khoa
hc Quc T, M, nh danh mt s loi c bng); H.H. Ng (i hc quc gia Singapore, nh danh mt s loi c
ngnh); H. Senou (Bo tng Qun Kanagawa, Nht Bn, nh danh mt s loi c i); D.G. Smith (Vin nghin
cu Smithonian, M, nh danh mt s loi c chnh). E.O. Murdy cng gip trong vic chnh sa ting Anh ca
phn gii thiu.
This book was made available by the Grant from the Japan Fund for Global Environment of the
Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency.

MC LC CONTENTS
Danh sch thnh vin tham gia d n NEF-CTU List of researchers of NEF-CTU joint project ................. 5
Bn ng bng Sng Cu Long, Vit Nam Map of the Mekong delta, Vietnam ...................................... 6
Gii thiu Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 7
Kha phn loi c ti H vng ng bng Sng Cu Long Key to fish families in the Mekong delta ....... 14
M t loi Species accounts ........................................................................................................................... 31
B c mp Order Carcharhiniformes ....................................................................................................... 32

H c mp Family Carcharhinidae ............................................................................................. 32
B c ui Order Myliobatiformes .......................................................................................................... 33

H c ui bng Family Dasyatidae .......................................................................................... 33

H c ui bm Family Gymnuridae ...................................................................................... 35

H c ui Family Myliobatidae ............................................................................................. 35
B c thc lt Order Osteoglossiformes ................................................................................................. 36

H c tht lt Famly Notopteridae ............................................................................................ 36
B c chnh Order Anguilliformes .......................................................................................................... 37

H c chnh Family Moringuidae .............................................................................................. 37

H lch bin Family Muraenidae ............................................................................................ 38

H c chnh rn Family Ophichthidae ........................................................................................ 38

H c lc Family Muraenesocidae ............................................................................................ 40
B c cho bin Order Elopiformes ....................................................................................................... 41

H c cho bin Famiy Elopidae ............................................................................................... 41

H c cho ln Family Megalopidae ......................................................................................... 41
B c trch Order Clupeiformes .............................................................................................................. 42

H c b Family Pristigasteridae ................................................................................................. 42

H c trch Family Clupeidae ..................................................................................................... 42

H c trng Family Engraulidae ................................................................................................ 45
B c sa Order Gonorynchiformes ......................................................................................................... 48

H c mng Family Chanidae .................................................................................................... 48
B c chp Order Cypriniformes ............................................................................................................ 49

H c chp Family Cyprinidae ................................................................................................... 49

H c heo Family Botiidae ......................................................................................................... 62

H c heo Family Cobitidae ........................................................................................................ 63
B c chim Order Characiformes ............................................................................................................ 64

H c chim Family Characidae .................................................................................................. 64
B c da trn Order Siluriformes ........................................................................................................... 65

H c lau king Family Loricariidae ......................................................................................... 65

H c nheo Family Siluridae ...................................................................................................... 66

H c ngt Family Plotosidae .................................................................................................... 67

H c tr Family Clariidae ......................................................................................................... 68

H c tra Family Pangasiidae .................................................................................................... 69

H c c Family Ariidae ............................................................................................................. 70

H c ngnh Family Bagridae ..................................................................................................... 74

H c chin Family Akysidae .................................................................................................... 77
B c mi Order Synodontiformes .......................................................................................................... 78

H c mi Family Synodontidae ................................................................................................ 78
B c i Order Mugiliformes ................................................................................................................ 79

H c i Family Mugilidae ....................................................................................................... 79
B c sut Order Atheriniformes ............................................................................................................ 81

H c bng u Family Phallostethidae ..................................................................................... 81
B c sc Order Cyprinodontiformes ...................................................................................................... 83

H c bc u Family Aplocheilidae ......................................................................................... 83

H c by mu Family Poeciliidae ............................................................................................. 84

B c lm km Order Beloniformes ......................................................................................................... 85

H c sc Family Adrianichthyidae ............................................................................................ 85
H c lm km Family Hemiramphidae ....................................................................................... 86
H c nhi Family Belonidae ...................................................................................................... 88
B c cha vi Order Gasterosteiformes ................................................................................................. 89
H c cha vi Family Syngnathidae .......................................................................................... 89
B mang lin Order Synbranchiformes .................................................................................................... 91
H ln Family Synbranchidae .................................................................................................. 91
H c chch Family Mastacembelidae ........................................................................................ 92
B c hm ch Order Batrachoidiformes ............................................................................................... 93
H c hm ch Family Batrachoididae ...................................................................................... 94
B c vc Order Perciformes ................................................................................................................ 95
H c sn Family Ambassidae ................................................................................................... 95
H c chm Family Latidae ....................................................................................................... 96
H c m Family Serranidae ...................................................................................................... 97
H c m ln Family Scorpaenidae ............................................................................................. 97
H c c Family Sillaginidae ................................................................................................... 98
H c kh Family Carangidae .................................................................................................... 98
H c lit Family Leiognathidae ................................................................................................ 100
H c hng Family Lutjanidae .................................................................................................. 101
H c hng vn Family Lobotidae .......................................................................................... 102
H c mm Family Gerreidae ................................................................................................... 103
H c so Family Haemulidae ................................................................................................... 104
H c trp Family Sparidae ................................................................................................. 105
H c nh Family Polynemidae ............................................................................................... 105
H c l Family Sciaenidae .................................................................................................. 107
H c phn Family Mullidae ..................................................................................................... 111
H c mang r Family Toxotidae .............................................................................................. 111
H c hin Family Drepaneidae ................................................................................................ 112
H c r bin Family Pristolepididae ........................................................................................ 112
H c cng Family Terapontidae ............................................................................................... 113
H c r phi Family Cichlidae .................................................................................................. 114
H c nu Family Scatophagidae .............................................................................................. 115
H c da Family Siganidae ....................................................................................................... 116
H c bc m Family Scombridae ............................................................................................. 117
H c h Family Trichiuridae .................................................................................................... 119
H c chim trng Stromateidae ................................................................................................ 120
H c r Family Anabantidae .................................................................................................... 121
H c hng Family Helostomidae ........................................................................................... 121
H c tai tng Family Osphronemidae ................................................................................... 122
H c lc Family Channidae ...................................................................................................... 124
H c mo g Family Blenniidae .............................................................................................. 126
H c n lia Family Callionymidae ......................................................................................... 127
H c chai Family Platycephalidae ........................................................................................... 129
H c bng en Family Eleotridae ............................................................................................ 130
H c bng trng Family Gobiidae ........................................................................................... 133
B c bn Order Pleuronectiformes ....................................................................................................... 154
H c bn ct Family Paralichthyidae ...................................................................................... 154
H c bn sc Family Soleidae ................................................................................................. 155
H c bn li b Family Cynoglossidae ................................................................................. 157
B c nc Order Tetraodontiformes ........................................................................................................ 160
H c nc Family Tetraodontidae .............................................................................................. 160
Ti liu tham kho Bibliographies ......................................................................................................... 162
Ch s Index ........................................................................................................................................... 169

DANH SCH THNH VIN

THAM GIA D N NEF-CTU
(03/2012 04/2013)
LIST OF RESEARCHERS IN NEF-CTU JOINT
PROJECT (Mar. 2012 Apr. 2013)
Nagao Natural Environment Foundation,
Tokyo, Japan
TAKI Yasuhiko
KOMODA Makoto
NATORI Yoshihiro
UTSUGI Kenzo
SHIBUKAWA Koichi
OIZUMI Tomoko
OTTOMANSKI Stefan

Khoa Thy Sn, Trng i hc Cn Th,

Cn Th, Vit Nam
College of Aquaculture and Fisheries,
Can Tho University (CTU), Can Tho,
Vietnam
TRN c nh
NGUYN Thanh Phng
H Phc Hng
TRN Xun Li
MAI Vn Hiu
T Th M Hong

Hong Sa

VIT NAM
Trng Sa

Ph Quc

a im thu mu collecting localities

Sng (Sng chnh v cc nhnh sng)
rivers (mainstreams and tributaries)
Knh rch canals

Bn ng bng Sng Cu Long, Vit Nam

Map of the Mekong delta, Vietnam
6

INTRODUCTION

Sng M-kng bt ngun t cao nguyn Ty

Tng v hnh thnh mt vng ng bng tr
ph min Nam Vit Nam; l ng bng
sng Cu Long (BSCL) vi h thng sng
ngi dy c trn din tch khong 39.000
km2. Vng ny c nhiu loi hnh thy vc
khc nhau nh sng, knh rch, vng ca
sng, rng ngp mn v bi bi ven bin. V
vy, ni y c bit n nh l mt vng
rt phong ph v ngun li thy sn, c bit
l cc loi c. Nhiu loi c c kch c ln v
c gi tr kinh t c tm thy cc ch a
phng; bn cnh, cng c rt nhiu loi c
c kch c nh gi tr kinh t thp nhng li
chim mt t l kh cao trong qun x thy
sinh vt ngoi t nhin. Gn y, do trnh
trng khai thc qu mc e da n a
dng sinh hc thy sn trong vng. Mc d
c mt s hot ng c trin khai bo
v ngun li thy sn nh phc hi rng ngp
mn, nhng mi e da vn cn hin hu.
Hn na, s a dng c khu vc ny cng
cha c nghin cu nhiu. Vidthayanon
(2008) c lit k c 461 loi c trong sch
nh v cc loi c khu vc BSCL. Hortle
(2009) th cho xut bn B su tp c h

The Mekong basin, originating in the Tibetan

plateau, forms a rich delta in southern Vietnam
that encompasses a network of tributaries of
the Mekong River and covers 39,000 square
kilometers. The delta region features a variety
of water environments, such as large freshwater
rivers, irrigation canals, brackish estuaries,
mangrove creeks and mudflats. A rich diversity
in aquatic organisms, particularly fishes, is well
known in the delta region. Many kinds of large
and medium-sized fishes are abundant in local
markets, and numerous small non-commercial
fishes comprise a large proportion of the natural
food web. Recent high levels of exploitation
now threaten the biodiversity of the region.
While some efforts to reverse the trend by
such means as mangrove restoration have been
undertaken, the threat remains. Nevertheless,
the species diversity of fishes in this region
is not well known. Vidthayanon (2008) listed
461 fish species in his recent pictorial book of
the fishes of the Mekong delta. Hortle (2009)
noted, Systematic collection and accurate
identification of fishes from the delta region
would do much to remove the uncertainly in
species counts in the Mekong basin.

A mangrove forest at Soc Trang Province, Vietnam

GII THIU

thng v phn loi chnh xc cc loi c vng

BSCL gip cho vic loi b nhng loi
cha r.
Qu mi trng thin nhin Nagao (NEF)
v Trng i hc Cn Th (CTU) tin
hnh d n nghin cu v cc loi c
BSCL t nm 2006. Mc tiu ca d n l i)
iu tra hin trng v a dng v phn b cc
loi c BSCL da trn mu vt thu c;
ii) xy dng phng lu tr mu c cng vi
b su tp hnh nh c phc v cho ging
dy v nghin cu khoa hc; iii) pht trin
ngun nhn lc cho lnh vc nghin cu ny
thng qua hun luyn k nng lm vic thc
t. Trong sut qu trnh nghin cu, nhm
nghin cu nhn thy vai tr quan trng ca
vng BSCL trong bo tn s a dng cc
loi c trn sng M-kong. Tuy nhin, k
t sau nghin cu ca Mai nh Yn v ctv
(1992) cng nh ca Trng Th Khoa v
Trn Th Thu Hng (1993) cha c nghin
cu no cho c khu vc BSCL, v vy mt
nghin cu nh vy hin nay l rt cn thit.
Ngoi ra, mt vn c ngha quan trng
na l b sung thm ngun ti liu (nh sch
hng dn phn loi) phc v cho cng tc
nghin cu cc loi c vng ny.
Nm 2012, NEF v CTU cng tin hnh
nghin cu tip v thnh phn loi c 4 tnh
Sc Trng, Bc Liu, Tr Vinh v Bn Tre vi
kinh ph ti tr bi Qu bo v mi trng
ton cu (JFGE), thuc T chc phc hi v
bo v mi trng (ERCA) ca Nht Bn.
Qua kt qu ca nghin cu, quyn sch ny
c chun b gip nh danh cc loi c
BSCL v cc vng ln cn. Hu ht tt c cc
loi c thu c trnh by bng nh mu cng
vi mt s c im phn loi (gm cc c
im gip phn bit so vi cc loi tng t).
Quyn sch ny c vit bng Ting Vit v
Ting Anh rng ri cho ngi c trong cc
lnh vc nh dng cho ngi lm cng tc qun
l ngun li thy sn, gio vin, sinh vin, nh
nghin cu v nhn vin cc bo tng. Ln u
tin mt quyn sch hng dn v cc loi c
nc ngt v l vng BSCL c vit da
trn mu thu c qua cc t thu mu thc t
v cc mu c ny c lu tr li so snh
i chiu hoc dng cho cc nghin cu su
hn sau ny. Quyn sch ny m t 77 h v
322 loi, bao gm c nhng loi c kinh t v

Nagao Natural Environment Foundation

(NEF) and Can Tho University (CTU) have
been conducting a joint research project on the
fishes in the Vietnamese Mekong since 2006.
Objectives of this project are: 1) to survey
the current status of fish species diversity
and distribution in the Vietnamese Mekong
based on voucher specimens; 2) to increase
fish specimen/photo collections for scientific/
educational purposes, and; 3) to develop human
resources for these research activities, mainly
through on-the-job training. Through this
research effort, we realized the important role
of the delta region for conservation of fishspecies diversity of the Mekong basin, and that
more extensive ground-based research was
needed in this region. No comprehensive field
surveys on the fish fauna of the Mekong delta
of Vietnam have occurred since the publications
of Mai et al. (1992) and Truong and Tran (1993);
current studies are urgently needed. The lack of
reference materials (e.g., field guides) necessary
for research on the fishes of this region is also a
significant problem.
In 2012, NEF and CTU conducted a joint
research study on fish-species diversity in four
provinces (Soc Tran, Bac Lieu, Tra Vinh and
Ben Tre) with financial support provided by the
Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE) of
the Environmental Restoration and Conservation
Agency (ERCA). Based on the results of this
study, this book was prepared in order to help
identify fishes found in the Vietnamese Mekong
and adjacent coastal waters. Almost all fish
species collected during our fieldwork in the
Mekong delta are included here along with their
color photographs and some selected diagnostic
characters (= distinguishing morphological
characters from similar fishes).
This book has been produced in both Vietnamese and English for the convenience
of local users in various sectors including
fisheries officers, school teachers and students,
researchers and museum staff. This is the first
field guide to feature the freshwater and brackish
water fishes of the Vietnamese Mekong region
that is based on a dedicated on-site field survey
and with specimens collected to ensure veracity
of the information presented in the book. The
book covers 77 families and 322 species of both
commercial and non-commercial fishes.

nhng loi c gi tr kinh t thp.

Cui cng, chng ti xin gi li cm n
chn thnh ti nhng thnh vin tham gia v
gip chng ti c th hon thnh c
quyn sch ny, cng nh JFGE thuc ERCA
ti tr kinh ph.
Hnh nh v mu vt. Tt c hnh nh c
c trnh by trong sch ny c chp
trong sut thi gian hot ng ca d n
BSCL n thng 01 nm 2013; khng s
dng cc hnh nh c thu t cc vng khc.
Sch ny m t 322 loi c thu c, trong
312 loi thu c trong vng nc ngt
v l, v c 10 loi c bin thu c vng
ca sng. Tt c mu c thu c t nghin
cu ny, bao gm nh chp t mu vt s
dng trong sch ny, c ng k bn quyn
v lu tr Phng mu vt, Khoa Thy sn,
Trng i hc Cn Th.
H thng phn loi. H thng phn loi, n
b v h, c sp xp c bn da theo h
thng ca Nelson (2006). Mt s h c mc
d c mi quan h xa nhng li kh ging
h khc (V d: h c bc u Aplocheilidae
v h c sc Adrianichthyidae); ngc li,
i khi mt s h khng c quan h vi nhau
nhng chng c xp gn nhau d dng
phn bit, c bit cho nhng ngi mi lm
quen vi cng vic phn loi c. Trong nghin
cu ny, h thng phn loi cp b v h ni
chung ging nh ca Nelson (2006); ngoi tr
h c heo Botiidae (l h ph Cobotidae, theo
Nelson, 2006), h c m ln Scorpaenidae
(thuc b Scorpaeniformes, theo Nelson,
2006) v h c chai Platicephalidae (thuc
b Scorpaeniformes, theo Nelson, 2006). T
cp h n ging v loi c phn loi da
vo nhng c im ging nhau ca chng;
c th l, nhng loi c c c im ging
nhau c xp trong cng mt h, mc d c
th chng khng c mi quan h gn. Tt c
cc loi c m t bng tn a phng (tn
thng gi BSCL) v tn khoa hc, km
theo tn tc gi v nm. Vit Nam cha
c h thng tn chun cho cc loi c, v vy
trong nhiu trng hp c 2 hoc nhiu hn 2
tn gi ch dng cho 1 loi; ngc li, mt s
loi khc nhau nhng li dng cng mt tn

Last but certainly not least, we would like to

express our heartfelt gratitude to all who made
this possible, including JFGE of ERCA.
Fish photographs and specimens. All fish
photographs shown here were taken during our
fieldwork in the Mekong delta of Vietnam. No
fish photographs from other geographic regions
are included. Of 322 species included here, at
least 312 species were collected from fresh- and
brackish-water areas. The remaining 10 species
were collected from coastal marine areas near
estuaries; these species may enter to brackish
estuaries. All fish specimens collected during the
projects, including the photographed specimens
used in this book, are registered and housed in
the fish-specimen collection of the CTU.
Classification and names of fish taxa.
Suprageneric taxa, viz., orders and families,
are arranged for the most part following the
systematic order of Nelson (2006). We have
sometimes deviated from Nelson (2006)
with respect to several distantly-related fish
families that look similar to each other (e.g.,
Aplocheilidae and Adrianichthyidae). Even
if they are not closely related, arranging
similar-looking fish families close together in
a fieldguide like this can make identification
of specimens easier for non-professionals.
Concepts and limits of the orders and families
largely follow those of Nelson (2006), except
for the Botiidae (treated as subfamily of
Cobitidae in Nelson, 2006), Scorpaenidae
(placed in the order Scorpaeniformes by Nelson,
2006) and Platycephalidae (placed in the order
Scorpaeniformes by Nelson, 2006). Within
a family, genera/species are arranged based
on similarities in their general appearances;
namely, similar fishes may be found nearby
within the family, but they do not necessarily
have close phylogenetic relationships. All fish
species names are given with the vernacular
names (common names in the southern
Vietnam) and scientific names, as well as the
authority for respective scientific names. Note
that standard fish names are not yet developed
in Vietnam, and, in many cases, two or more
common names are used for each species in
the country; conversely, some similar species
may be called by a single common name.

Technical terms (see figures in p.1012).

Adipose fin: unpaired, membranous nonrayed fin, commonly found on dorsal midline
of caudal peduncle of, e.g., catfishes; anal fin:
a type of unpaired fin on ventral midline of
body just behind the anus; barbel: thread-like
cutaneous (rarely bony) structure, developed
around mouth; belly: anteroventral part of body
around abdominal cavity; branched ray: a type
of soft ray with branch(es) distally (see also
"ray"); branchiostegal ray: thread- or bladelike laminar bone, supporting gill membrane (=
branchiostegal membrane); caudal fin: unpaired
rayed fin at posteriormost of body; caudal
peduncle: a part of body behind a vertical
through end of anal-fin base; cheek: a small
area in lateral part of head between operculum
and infraorbital region; chin: anteriormost
part of ventral surface of lower jaw; ctenoid
scales: scale with minute spines posteriorly;
cycloid scales: scale with no minute spines

gi.
Thut ng chuyn mn (xem m t trang
1012). Vy m: n l, khng mng tia,
thng thy trn cung ui, nh c da
trn; Vy hu mn: loi vy n, nm di
thn pha sau hu mn; Ru: c cu trc dng
si (him khi dng xng), xut hin quanh
ming; Bng: phn di pha trc thn bao
quanh bng; Tia phn nhnh: xem tia;
Tia np mang: dng si hoc dng l to
thnh ming xng, gip bo v mng mang
(hay mng np mang); Vy ui: loi vy
n phn sau cng ca thn; Cung ui:
l on tng ng vi chiu cao ca thn v
tr cung vy hu mn; M: vng nm phn
bn ca u gia np mang v vng di
mt; Cm: phn trc ca hm di; Vy
lc: vy vi nhiu gai nh phn sau; Vy
trn: vy khng c gai nh phn sau; Vy
lng: vy n nm trn lng; Vy: cu trc

Vy lng th nht
Vy lng th hai 1st dorsal fin

Mm

2nd dorsal fin

snout

Vy ui
caudal fin

Mt
Khe mang
gill slits

Vy hu mn

Vy bng

eye

Vy ngc
pectoral fin

anal fin

Gai c

pelvic fin

poisonous spine

Gai sinh dc
clasper

L th

Gai ui
thorn

spiracle

Mt
eye

a
disc

Mm

ui
tail

snout

Cc b phn ca c mp v c ui Body parts of sharks and rays

10

Cung ui
Mt
eye

caudal peduncle

Np mang

Vy lng

operculum

Mm

Thn

ui

trunk

tail

Vy hu mn
anal fin
Vy ui

cheek
pectoral fin

caudal-fin base

dorsal fin

snout

Vy ngc

Cung vy ui

Bng
belly

Hm di
lower jaw

Hu mn

caudal fin

anus

ng bn

Vy bng Mng mt lateral line

pelvic fin
iris
Con ngi
pupil
L mi
nares

Cm

Hm di

chin

Tm hng
gular plate

lower jaw

Mng mang
gill membrane

Hm trn

Ngc

Np mang

upper jaw

thorax

Trong mt
infraorbital

operculum

Xng trc
np mang

cheek

preopercle

Si mang

gill filaments

Lc mang
Vy gai (scute)
scute

gill rakers

Vy trn

cycloid scale

Vy lc

ctenoid scale

Cc b phn ca c xng Body parts of bony fishes

11

Vy lng th nht
1st dorsal fin

Vy lng th hai
2nd dorsal fin

Vy m
adipose fin

Vy ph
finlet

Ru
barbels

Tia khng phn nhnh (hoc tia n)

unbranched (or simple) rays

Tia phn nhnh

branched rays
Chiu di chun (SL)
standard length (SL)

Gai
spines

Phn gai c ca
vy lng
spinous portion of
dorsal fin

Tia
(tia phn nhnh)
rays
(branched rays)

Phn tia mm ca
vy lng
soft portion of
dorsal fin

Chiu rng a (DW)

disc width (DW)

Chiu di tng (TL)

total length (TL)

Cc b phn ca c xng (tip theo) Body parts of bony fishes (continued)

12

dng mng, dng bi v/hoc gi c th

thng bng; Vy ph: mt hoc vi tia di
ca vy lng hoc vy hu mn tch bit vi
phn tia vi cn li; Mng mang: lp mng
lin kt vi mang ngay trc bng; Np
mang: c dng khe hoc l gip nc thot
ra ngoi, nm phn cui ca u; Lc
mang: c cu trc nh ci lc nm dc theo
ra trc ca mi khung mang; Vng mt:
vng nh nm mt bn ca u v ngay
di mt (nhng cha ti hm); Eo mang:
vng nh gia mng mang bn phi v tri;
Ln bng: phn da hoc xng c cnh
ging nh ln y thuyn; ng bn: l
c quan bn ngoi ca h thn kinh (hay l
phn ngoi ca cc dy thn kinh cm gic)
nm u v thn, c dng ng dc trn
thn (rnh ng bn) nhiu loi c; Gy:
nm ngay sau vng chm; L mi: dng l
h; Xng chm (hoc vng chm): phn
nm ngay sau mt (v trn no); Np mang:
phn sau mt bn ca u bao ph bung
mang; Vy ngc: loi vy i, nm mt
bn hoc mt di ca thn v pha sau u;
Xng trc np mang: mt ming xng
hnh li lim nm gia m v np mang;
Vy bng: loi vy i, phn t (t nht l
phn ra vy); Gai (hoc Tia xng): loi tia
vy, khng phn t; Vy gai (scute): loi vy
dng xng ln gia; Mm: phn trc
ca u, nm trc mt (khng bao gm
hm); Bng bi (hoc bng hi): c quan
bn trong ging nh bong bng, nm bn
di ct sng; ui: phn sau ca thn, nm
sau hu mn; Thn: phn gia u v ui;
Ngc: phn pha di, trc bng.

posteriorly; dorsal fin: unpaired rayed fin(s)

on dorsal midline; fin: membranous structure
originating on body, used in swimming and/
or maintaining body position; finlet: one or
more posterior rays of dorsal and/or anal fin,
separated from the main part of respective
fins; gill membrane: membrane attached to
gill cover posteroventrally; gill opening: slit
or pore-like opening for water discharge at
posteriormost of head; gill raker: comb-like
structure developed along anterior margin of
each gill arch; infraorbital region: a small
area in lateral part of head just below eye (not
included jaws); isthmus: narrow midventral
interspace between right and left sides of gill
membranes; keel: sharp-edged, linearized
cutaneous or bony structure, looks like a keel
along bottom of boat; lateral line: external
organ of sensory system (= exposed terminal
region of nerves) on head and body, forming
linearlyarranged canal structure (= lateral-line
canals) that looks like a longitudinal "line(s)"
on body in many fishes; nape: dorsoanterior
part of body just behind occipital region; naris
(pl. nares): nasal opening (= nostril); occiput (or
occipital region): a dorsoposterior part of head
just behind eyes (above brain case); operculum:
posteriormost part of side of head behind
preopercle, covering gill chamber; pectoral
fin: a type of paired fins, originating on lateral
or ventrolateral side of body just behind head;
preopercle: a lunate bone at the boundary
between cheek and operclum; pelvic fin: a type
of paired fin, originating on the ventral surface
of body before anal fin; ray (or soft ray): a type
of fin structure, having segments (at least in the
distal part); spine (or spinous ray): a type of fin
ray, lacking segments; scute: a type of modified
scale with a sharp bony keel at its midline;
snout: anterior part of head before eye (not
including jaws); swim bladder (or air bladder):
internal balloon-like organ, developed beneath
vertebral column; tail: posterior part of body
posterior to the anus; trunk: middle part of body
between head and tail; thorax: anteroventral
part of body anterior to belly.

13

KHA NH LOI H C NG BNG SNG CU LONG

KEY TO FISH FAMILIES IN THE MEKONG DELTA
Phm vi. Kha nh loi ny cho cc h c m nghin cu ca chng ti thu mu c vng
nc ngt v l ca vng ng bng Sng Cu Long. Tuy nhin y cng bao gm mt vi h c
bin, l nhng h c m chng phn b vo trong vng ca sng, chng ch yu thu c giai
on c con. Kha nh loi ny bc u c xy dng da trn mu c thu c vng ng
Bng Sng Cu Long, do c th n khng ph hp hon ton cho nhng loi c thuc nhng
vng phn b khc.
Coverage. This key covers all fish families, currently recorded from freshwater areas and brackish
estuaries of the Vietnamese Mekong. Some marine-fish families, expected to enter the brackish
estuaries in this area (particularly in their early-life stages), are also included. This key is made
based primarily on the fish species of the Vietnamese Mekong; namely, it may not work well for
species from the other geographic regions.
1a. 5 cp np mang 5 pairs of gill opening ....................... 2
1b. 1 cp np mang 1pairs of gill opening ........................... 6
.

1a

1b

2a. Np mang nm mt bn ca c Gill opening located on

lateral side of body ... H c mp Carcharhinidae (p.32)
2b. Np mang mt di bng ca c Gill opening located on
ventral surface of body .............................................. 3
3a. Mi rt di, mi bn c 1 hng gai nhn to thnh hnh li
ca Snout greatly elongate, with a row of distinct thorns on
each side, forming saw-like appearance ................................
............................................................... H c ao Pristidae
(khng bao gm trong sch ny not included in this book)
3b. Mi khng ging nh 3a Snout not as in 3a ...... 4
4a. Mt mt bn ca phn u nh ra Eyes located on lateral
sides of protruding head Eyes located on lateral sides of
protruding head ..... H c ui Myliobatidae (p.35)
4b. Mt pha mt trn ca u Eyes on dorsal surface of disc .. 5
5a. Chiu rng thn ln hn chiu di thn; ui rt ngn Disc
much wider than its length; tail relatively short ........................
................................ H c ui bm Gymnuridae (p.35)
5b. Chiu rng thn tng ng vi chiu di thn; ui kh di
Disc width subequal to its length; tail long .......................
................................ H c ui bng Dasyatidae (p.33)

14

6a. Thn c di nh ln, c hnh dng nh ruy bng; khng c

vy bng Body greatly elongate, eel-like, pipefish-like or
tapering ribbon-like; pelvic fins absent .................................. 7
6b. C c nhiu hnh dng khc nhau (mt s c hnh dng nh
ln); thng c c vy bng (d mt vi loi khng c,
nhng a s cc loi c hnh dng ging ln u c vy
bng) Shape of body variable (eel-like in some); pelvic
fins usually present (absent in some, but at least the eel-like
species have pelvic fins) ...................................... 16

6a

6b

7a.

C th c bao ph bi cc tm sng; mm c dng ng

Body covered with bony plates; snout bony tube-like ..........
.................................... H c cha vi Syngnathidae (p.89)
7b. Thn mm, khng bao ph cc tm sng; mm khng c dng
ng Body soft, not covered with bony plates; snout not tubelike ................................................................................. 8

7a

7b

8a. u rt dp, c dng hnh tam gic; hm di nh ra; thn rt

dp, ging dng ruy bng, thon nhn phn ui Head well
compressed and nearly triangular; lower jaw projecting; body
well compressed and ribbon-like, tapering posteriorly
..................................... H c h Trichiuridae (p.119)
8b. Cc c im hnh thi khng ging nh 8a Combination
of characters not as in 8a .................................... 9

8a

9a. Rt nhiu gai nh nm chy dc sng lng n trc phn vy

lng mm; vy hu mn c 23 tia vi cng A series of many
small spines along dorsal midline before soft dorsal fin; 23
anal-fin spines ............. H c chch Mastacembelidae (p.92)
9b. Khng c tia vi cng vy lng; vy hu mn khng c tia vi
cng No spines before soft dorsal fin; no anal-fin spines .... 10
10a. Vy ui nh v tch ri vi vy lng/ vy hu mn Small
caudal fin, separated from dorsal/anal fins ................
...................................................... H ln Chaudhuriidae
(khng bao gm trong sch ny not included in this book)
10b. Vy ui (nu c) tip gip vi vy lng v vy hu mn
Caudal fin, if present, continuous with dorsal and anal fins . 11

15

11a. Khng c vy lng Pectoral fins absent .............. 12

11b. C vy lng Pectoral fins present ....................13

11a

11b

12a. Np mang lin tc ko ngang qua c phn di ca thn Gill

opening continuous across ventral surface of body ..............
................................................ H ln Synbranchidae (p.91)
12b. Mt cp np mang dng l nh mt bn ca c A pair of
small pore-like gill opening on side of body ..............
.................................... H lch bin Muraenidae (p.38)

12a

12b

13a. Hu mn nm phn sau ca thn c Anus on posterior part

of body ............... H c chnh Moringuidae (p.37)
13b. Hu mn nm gia hoc phn trc ca thn c Anus at
or before midlength of body ........................................ 14
14a. Rng to u ngoi ca hm di; np mang ch gii hn n
phn di ca thn c Enlarged teeth at tip of lower jaw; gill
opening confined to lower part of body .......................
..................................... H c lc Muraenesocidae (p.40)
14b. Khng c rng to u ngoi ca hm di; np mang ch
n na chiu cao ca thn c No enlarged teeth at tip of
lower jaw; gill openings at midside of body ............ 15

14a

14b

15a. Hm di khng nh ra so vi hm trn; thn khng c vy

Lower jaw not protruding beyond upper jaw; no scales on
body ................ H c chnh rn Ophichthidae (p.38)

15b. Hm di hi nh ra so vi hm trn; vy nh st thn Lower

jaw slightly protruding beyond upper jaw; minute embedded
scales on body ............ H c chnh Anguillidae
(khng bao gm trong sch ny not included in this book)
15a

16

15b

16a. C vi m Adipose fin present ..................... 17

16b. Khng c vi m Adipose fin absent ............ 24
16a

16b

16b

17a. Khng c ru Barbels absent ...................... 18

17b. C ru (khng c c tra du trng thnh, Pangasianodon
gigas) Barbels present (absent in adults of a large pangasiid
catfish, Pangasianodon gigas)................. 19
17a

17b

17b

18a. Thn cao v dp bn; ming nh Body deep and compressed;

mouth small ................ H c chim Characidae (p.64)

18b. Thn thon; ming rng Body slender; mouth large .....
.......................... H c mi Family Synodontidae (p.78)
19a. Thn c bao ph bi cc tm sng; ming nm mt
bng; mi di rng v c gai tht v c dng hnh bn nguyt
Body covered with bony plates; mouth ventral; lower lip
broad and papillose, forming a semicircular flap ..................
.................................... H c lau king Loricariidae (p.65)
19b. Thn khng c bao ph bi cc tm sng; v tr ming
khc nhau v mi khng to thnh hnh bn nguyt Body not
covered with bony plates; position of mouth variable; lips not
forming a semicircular flap .......................................... 20

19a

19b

20a. Vy hu mn di vi 25 tia hoc nhiu hn A long-based anal

fin, with 25 or more rays ....... H c tra Pangasiidae (p.69)
20b. Vy hu mn ngn Anal-fin base short .. 20
21a. Thn c nhiu nt nh Body covered with numerous small
tubercles ...................................................... 22
21b. Thn mm, khng c nt nh Body smooth, without small
tubercles .................................................. 23

21a

21b

17

22a. Vy lng c 1 tia vi cng to nhn Dorsal fin with a strong,

pungent spine ........ H c chin Akysidae (p.74)
22b. Vy lng c hoc khng c tia cng; nu c th chng cng
khng cng v sc nhn Dorsal fin with or without spinous
ray, but the spine, if present, not strong and pungent .......
......................................................... H c chin Sisoridae
(khng bao gm trong sch ny not included in this book)
23a. C ru mi Nasal barbel present .................................
...................................... H c ngnh Bagridae (p.72)

23b. Khng c ru mi Nasal barbel absent ........................

............................................... H c c Ariidae (p.70)

23a

23b

24a. Thn mm v trn; vy lng v vy hu mn nm phn na

sau ca thn v khng c gai cng; khng c vy bng Body
soft and globular; dorsal and anal fins located on posterior half
of body, with no spines; pelvic fins absent ...................
........................... H c nc Tetraodontidae (p.160)
24b. Cc c im nhn dng khng ging nh 41a Combination of characters not as in 24a ............................................. 25
25a. C 2 mt nm cng 1 bn ca thn; vy lng v vy hu mn
di Both eyes on one side of body; dorsal and anal fins with
long bases ........................................ 26
25b. Mt nm 2 bn; vy lng v vy hu mn c hnh dng khc
nhau Eyes bilateral; shape of dorsal and anal fins variable ..
................................................................................. 28

25a

25b

26a. Mt nm bn phi ca thn Eyes on right side of body

.................. H c bn sc Soleidae (p.155)
26b. Mt nm bn tri ca thn Eyes on left side of body .. 27

27a. C vy ngc Pectoral fins present ...............................

....................... H c bn ct Paralichthyidae (p.154)
27b. Khng c vy ngc Pectoral fins absent .....................
.................. H c bn li b Cynoglossidae (p.157)

18