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Lined minnow (Metzia lineata) — Cyprinidae

Lined minnow

Metzia lineata
Family: Cyprinidae

The Lined minnow (Metzia lineata) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The lined minnow is a small cyprinid relative (Xenocyprididae) from fresh water of rivers and lakes in East and Southeast Asia. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, laterally compressed, silvery body with a fine dark longitudinal line and a superior mouth. As a schooling fish it swims near the surface and snaps at insects, larvae, small zooplankton and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lined minnow?

The Lined minnow has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Lined minnow live?

The Lined minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Lined minnow get?

The Lined minnow grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Lined minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Lined minnow is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Streep-dwergkarper sourced
English name
Lined minnow sourced
Scientific name
Metzia lineata
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Metzia

More from the family Cyprinidae

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