Biology

Inhabits water bodies with slow to fast current, preferring places with slow current. Abundant in middle and lower parts of large rivers and their tributaries, reservoirs and swampy creeks; also in brackish water at river mouths, in estuaries and coastal lakes. Frequently schools in upper water layers. Feeds on plankton, insect larvae, and seeds. Spawns in shallow water at depth of 0.1-0.5 m. Lays sticky eggs, 1.4 mm in diameter, on submerged plants, rarely on pebbles (Ref. 59043).