Home · Cyprinidae · Acheilognathus imberbis
Acheilognathus imberbis — Cyprinidae

Acheilognathus imberbis

Acheilognathus imberbis
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Acheilognathus imberbis is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
East Asia
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Acheilognathus imberbis is a small cyprinid from fresh water of East Asia, including China. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery body without barbels. Like other bitterlings, the female uses a long ovipositor to lay her eggs in the gill cavity of living freshwater mussels, where the young grow up safely. It lives in slow, weedy water and eats algae and small zooplankton. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Acheilognathus imberbis?

The Acheilognathus imberbis has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Lays its eggs in freshwater mussels through an ovipositor

Where does the Acheilognathus imberbis live?

The Acheilognathus imberbis lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. East Asia

How big does the Acheilognathus imberbis get?

The Acheilognathus imberbis grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Acheilognathus imberbis dangerous to humans?

No, the Acheilognathus imberbis is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Acheilognathus imberbis edible?

The Acheilognathus imberbis is not usually eaten.

More photos

Acheilognathus imberbis — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) 氘氚聚变, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Acheilognathus imberbis — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) kyosapir, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Acheilognathus imberbis — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) LVDIAN, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Acheilognathus imberbis — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) wwinsect, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Acheilognathus imberbis verified
Scientific name
Acheilognathus imberbis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
East Asia verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae and small zooplankton inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Mussel-brooding bitterling; breeding in spring. sourced
Special features
Lays its eggs in freshwater mussels through an ovipositor sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acheilognathus

More from the family Cyprinidae

Fin

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