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Bottlefish (Couesius plumbeus) — Cyprinidae

Bottlefish

Couesius plumbeus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bottlefish (Couesius plumbeus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
23 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America; almost every type of fresh water, from lakes to streams.
Edibility
Rarely eaten

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Description

The lake chub is a cyprinid (Leuciscidae) from North America, with one of the largest ranges of any North American freshwater fish. The species has a slender, streamlined, lead-grey body with a small barbel at the corner of the mouth. It inhabits almost any type of water, from lakes and rivers to small streams, often with a gravel bottom, and tolerates cold. As an omnivore it feeds on insects, small zooplankton, algae and detritus. It lives in schools. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bottlefish?

The Bottlefish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. One of the most widely distributed North American freshwater fishes; cold-tolerant and highly adaptable.

Where does the Bottlefish live?

The Bottlefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America; almost every type of fresh water, from lakes to streams.

How big does the Bottlefish get?

The Bottlefish grows to a maximum of about 23 cm. On average the species is around 11 cm.

Is the Bottlefish dangerous to humans?

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

Is the Bottlefish edible?

The Bottlefish is rarely eaten.

More photos

Bottlefish (Couesius plumbeus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Eric van den Berghe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bottlefish (Couesius plumbeus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Michael Verdirame, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bottlefish (Couesius plumbeus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Douglas Tate, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bottlefish (Couesius plumbeus) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) rachwalsh11, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Bottlefish verified
Scientific name
Couesius plumbeus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Chub minnow; Creek chub; Lake chub; Lake northern chub; Moose lake minnow; Northern chub; Plumbeus minnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America; almost every type of fresh water, from lakes to streams. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Insects, small zooplankton, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
One of the most widely distributed North American freshwater fishes; cold-tolerant and highly adaptable. 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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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