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Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) — Umbridae

Central mudminnow

Umbra limi
Family: Umbridae
LC · Least Concern

The Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) is a freshwater fish of the family Umbridae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Crepuscular
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Canada, USA
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The central mudminnow is a small, hardy freshwater fish of the family Umbridae from eastern North America. It has a stocky, elongate, brown-mottled body and grows to about 14 cm. The species inhabits quiet parts of streams, swamps and other wetlands with muddy bottoms and dense vegetation. It is notable for tolerating drought, low oxygen and wide temperature extremes; when oxygen is scarce it can gulp air at the surface. It feeds on aquatic insects, amphipods, isopods and snails. The species is harmless to humans and of only limited commercial importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Central mudminnow?

The Central mudminnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Can gulp air and tolerates drought, oxygen-poor water and temperature extremes.

Where does the Central mudminnow live?

The Central mudminnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Canada, USA

How big does the Central mudminnow get?

The Central mudminnow grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Central mudminnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Central mudminnow 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.

Is the Central mudminnow edible?

Yes, the Central mudminnow is commonly eaten.

More photos

Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) — Umbridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Landon Marshall, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) — Umbridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Dwight Baker, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) — Umbridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Mignoffo, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) — Umbridae — 5
Steven Wang (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
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All data

Identification

English name
Central mudminnow verified
Scientific name
Umbra limi
Family
Umbridae
Other names
Central mudminnow verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.1 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No 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: Canada, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Aquatic insects, amphipods, isopods and snails sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Crepuscular inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
4.0 verified
Seasonality
Spawns in early spring in shallow, vegetated water. inferred
Special features
Can gulp air and tolerates drought, oxygen-poor water and temperature extremes. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
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 sourced
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 Umbra

More from the family Umbridae

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