Laotian shad

The Laotian shad is a species of fish in the family Clupeidae. It is endemic to the Mekong River drainage in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The species has a short, stout body with a broad, highly compressed profile. The mouth is wide, with the lower jaw protruding beyond the upper jaw. The eyes are covered by a thin membrane. The scales are large but easily shed. The body is silver, with vivid bluish-purple spots along the sides. Fully grown individuals reach a body length of approximately.
This species of shad exhibits migratory behavior, moving up and down rivers to spawn and feed. It is a filter feeder, consuming only plankton and detritus. Locally, it is used as a food fish, and wild-caught specimens are occasionally collected for the aquarium trade. However, it is difficult to keep in captivity, as individuals are easily startled and their large scales shed readily.