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Roundtail chub (Gila robusta) — Cyprinidae

Roundtail chub

Gila robusta
Family: Cyprinidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Roundtail chub (Gila robusta) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 43 cm.

Length
43 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The roundtail chub is a cyprinid (Leuciscidae) from southwestern North America, especially the Colorado basin. The species grows to about 50 cm and has a streamlined, silver-grey body with a slender tail base. It inhabits rocky runs and sometimes pools of creeks and rivers, and also impoundments. As an omnivore it eats insects, crustaceans, small fishes, algae and plant matter. Owing to dams, habitat loss and introduced species it is considered vulnerable; it can hybridise with related Gila species. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roundtail chub?

The Roundtail chub has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Roundtail chub live?

The Roundtail chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Roundtail chub get?

The Roundtail chub grows to a maximum of about 43 cm. On average the species is around 30 cm.

Is the Roundtail chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Roundtail chub is harmless to humans.

Is the Roundtail chub edible?

The Roundtail chub is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rondstaart-kopvoorn sourced
English name
Roundtail chub verified
Scientific name
Gila robusta
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Roundtail chub; White river chub verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
8.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gila

More from the family Cyprinidae

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