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Ansorge's minnow (Raiamas ansorgii) — Cyprinidae

Ansorge's minnow

Raiamas ansorgii
Family: Cyprinidae

The Ansorge's minnow (Raiamas ansorgii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Angola

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Description

Ansorge's minnow is a cyprinid relative (Danionidae) from fresh water of West and Central Africa. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, silvery, streamlined body with a few dark blotches or crossbars along the flank. As an active swimmer it lives in flowing streams and rivers and hunts insects and their larvae near the surface. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ansorge's minnow?

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

Where does the Ansorge's minnow live?

The Ansorge's minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Africa: Angola

How big does the Ansorge's minnow get?

The Ansorge's minnow grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Ansorge's minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Ansorge's minnow is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Ansorge's minnow (Raiamas ansorgii) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Boulenger, George Albert, 1858-1937 (Public domain)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ansorge's minnow sourced
Scientific name
Raiamas ansorgii
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Africa: Angola sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Raiamas

More from the family Cyprinidae

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