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Minnow (Hemiculter bleekeri) — Cyprinidae

Minnow

Hemiculter bleekeri
Family: Cyprinidae

The Minnow (Hemiculter bleekeri) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

Bleeker's sharpbelly is a cyprinid from East Asia, occurring in the river systems of China. The species reaches about 25 cm and has an elongate, compressed, silvery body with a sharp, keeled belly edge and an upturned mouth. It lives in schools in the open water layer of rivers and lakes. As an omnivore it feeds on zooplankton, insects, algae and detritus taken near the surface. The species is caught locally as a small food fish and is common in Chinese inland waters.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Minnow?

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

Where does the Minnow live?

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

How big does the Minnow get?

The Minnow grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 13 cm.

Is the Minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Minnow is harmless to humans.

Is the Minnow edible?

Yes, the Minnow is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bleekers scherpbuik sourced
English name
Minnow verified
Scientific name
Hemiculter bleekeri
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.2 verified
Average length (cm)
12.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) 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
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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 Hemiculter

More from the family Cyprinidae

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