Fin's Fish Guide
The Amur bitterling (Rhodeus sericeus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.
Fresh water of Siberia and East Asia, mainly in the Amur basin, in plant-rich, slow-flowing waters with freshwater mussels.
Description
The Amur bitterling is a small, deep-bodied cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae reaching about 11 cm. The silvery, compressed body has a greenish sheen and a blue-green stripe on the rear flank; in the breeding season males turn a beautiful purple-pink with a metallic green glow. The species is the Asian counterpart of the European bitterling and lives in vegetation-rich, slow-flowing fresh waters of Siberia and East Asia, mainly in the Amur basin. Like its European relative it has a unique reproduction: the female uses a long ovipositor to lay her eggs in the gill cavity of a living freshwater mussel, where the larvae grow up protected. Because of its colour it is popular in the coldwater aquarium.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Amur bitterling?
The Amur bitterling has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small, deep-bodied cyprinid that lays its eggs in living freshwater mussels; in the spawning season males colour purple-pink with a green sheen.
Where does the Amur bitterling live?
The Amur bitterling lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Fresh water of Siberia and East Asia, mainly in the Amur basin, in plant-rich, slow-flowing waters with freshwater mussels.
How big does the Amur bitterling get?
The Amur bitterling grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.
Is the Amur bitterling dangerous to humans?
No, the Amur bitterling is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Amur bitterling edible?
The Amur bitterling is not usually eaten.
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Same genus Rhodeus
More from the family Cyprinidae
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Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Amur bitterling is one of 12,519 species in the app.