Hemiculter

a genus of freshwater fish of the Cyprinidae family. There are four or five species. The lateral line is distinctively curved. There is a fin running along the abdomen from the throat to the anal fin. The fish inhabits the waters of East Asia (south of the basin of the Amur River). In the USSR there two species; they are found in the Amur basin but are especially numerous in Khanka Lake. In China they are found south to Hong Kong, and also on the island of Taiwan. The best known species is H. leucisculus’, its body length is 8-10 cm (sometimes as long as 18 cm). Spawning takes place in June to July. The roe of H. leucisculus grows in deep water. The fish feed on plankton crustaceans. They have almost no commercial significance.