Fig 1
Fig 2
Fig 3
Fig 4
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Order : Cypriniformes
Family : CYPRINIDAE
Species : Hampala macrolepidota
Maximum length (excluding tail fin) : 70 cm
Common length (excluding tail fin) : 35 cm
(Fishbase, 2026)
Text updated : October, 2026.
Hampala macrolepidota
(Sebarau, Hampala), inhabits a variety of aquatic habitats including clear rivers and streams,
which typically flow through intact forest, with either silty, sandy or gravelly substrates.
The species can also adapt to muddy, lowland rivers and reservoirs. It
is considered to be a freshwater migratory species. (Ahmad, 2019)
The name 'Hampala' derives from the Javanese name; in Malaysia
it is called 'Sebarau'. The specific epithet 'macrolepidota' means
'large-scaled'.
Hampala macrolepidota has large, dark-edged silver to golden-brown scales. Its body
is laterally compressed. Its fins are orange to red,
and the tail fin is edged with a black border. Typically there is a dark
patch below the dorsal fin, which may extend some way down the flank almost
reaching the pelvic fin, however in some specimens this feature may be rather
faint. The eyes are located towards the top of the head.
This species predates upon other fishes as well as aquatic insects
(Fishbase, 2026).
Hampala macrolepidota occurs in the Mekong Basin (which passes through or borders
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam), the Chao Phraya Basin
(Thailand), and various river systems in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra,
Java and Borneo (Ahmad, 2019).
Fig 1 : Example of estimated 40 cm total length at Sungai Relau - a clear, lowland river
in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.
Fig 2 : Shaded, clear water habitat at Sungai Relau, Pahang, Peninsular
Malaysia.
Fig 3 : Part of a large shoal of in an area of variable sandy and
stony substrate.
Fig 4 : Example of estimated 20 cm total length at Ulu Chepor, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia.
References and links :
Ahmad, A.B. 2019. Hampala macrolepidota. The IUCN Red List of Threatened
Species 2019: e.T181255A1714119.
Fishbase
- Hampala macrolepidota
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