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Brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) — Cyprinidae

Brassy minnow

Hybognathus hankinsoni
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Brassy minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The brassy minnow is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from North America. The species is small and slender with a silvery body that can show a brassy sheen. It inhabits cool pools of sluggish, clear creeks and small rivers, usually over sand or gravel. With its long gut it digests mainly plant matter: it scrapes algae, diatoms and detritus from the bottom. It is a prey fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brassy minnow?

The Brassy minnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Brassy minnow live?

The Brassy minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Brassy minnow get?

The Brassy minnow grows to a maximum of about 10 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Brassy minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Brassy minnow is harmless to humans.

Is the Brassy minnow edible?

The Brassy minnow is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Koperglans-elritsje sourced
English name
Brassy minnow verified
Scientific name
Hybognathus hankinsoni
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Brassy minnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.7 verified
Average length (cm)
7.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. 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 Hybognathus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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