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Flathead chub (Platygobio gracilis) — Cyprinidae

Flathead chub

Platygobio gracilis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Flathead chub (Platygobio gracilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 32 cm.

Length
32 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The flathead chub is a minnow (Leuciscidae) from fresh water of central and western North America, in the large prairie rivers. The species grows to about 32 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body with a flattened head, sickle-shaped pectoral fins and a small barbel. As a schooling fish it lives in turbid, fast-flowing rivers and eats insects, larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flathead chub?

The Flathead chub has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Flathead chub live?

The Flathead chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Flathead chub get?

The Flathead chub grows to a maximum of about 32 cm. On average the species is around 14 cm.

Is the Flathead chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Flathead chub is harmless to humans.

Is the Flathead chub edible?

Yes, the Flathead chub is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Platkop-kuit sourced
English name
Flathead chub sourced
Scientific name
Platygobio gracilis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Flathead chub; Saskatchewan dace verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
32.0 verified
Average length (cm)
14.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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