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Anatolian minnow (Pseudophoxinus anatolicus) — Cyprinidae

Anatolian minnow

Pseudophoxinus anatolicus
Family: Cyprinidae
EN · Endangered

The Anatolian minnow (Pseudophoxinus anatolicus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24.4 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Anatolia (Turkey); lakes, springs and streams.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The Anatolian minnow is a small cyprinid from central Anatolia in Turkey. The species grows to about 24 cm and has a streamlined, silvery body. It inhabits lakes and adjacent springs and brooks. As an omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and plant matter. Owing to the introduction of non-native species, water use and habitat loss the populations have strongly declined, so the species is listed as Endangered (EN). It is a peaceful schooling fish. Owing to its modest size it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Anatolian minnow?

The Anatolian minnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Anatolian freshwater roach; endangered (EN) by non-native species and habitat loss.

Where does the Anatolian minnow live?

The Anatolian minnow lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Central Anatolia (Turkey); lakes, springs and streams.

How big does the Anatolian minnow get?

The Anatolian minnow grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Anatolian minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Anatolian minnow is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Anatolian minnow edible?

The Anatolian minnow is rarely eaten.

More photos

Anatolian minnow (Pseudophoxinus anatolicus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) aoksuz42, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Anatolian minnow verified
Scientific name
Pseudophoxinus anatolicus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Yag baligi verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Central Anatolia (Turkey); lakes, springs and streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insect larvae, algae and plant material sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Anatolian freshwater roach; endangered (EN) by non-native species and habitat loss. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Pseudophoxinus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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