Home · Cyprinidae · Northern redbelly dace
Northern redbelly dace (Chrosomus eos) — Cyprinidae

Northern redbelly dace

Chrosomus eos
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Northern redbelly dace (Chrosomus eos) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The northern redbelly dace is a small North American cyprinid from Canada and the northern United States. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender body with two dark longitudinal stripes; breeding males develop a bright red belly. It inhabits lakes, ponds, bogs and pools of headwaters and creeks, usually over silt and near vegetation. As an omnivore it feeds on algae, detritus and small invertebrates. As a small schooling fish it is an important prey for larger fishes. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Northern redbelly dace?

The Northern redbelly dace has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Northern redbelly dace live?

The Northern redbelly dace lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Northern redbelly dace get?

The Northern redbelly dace grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Northern redbelly dace dangerous to humans?

No, the Northern redbelly dace is harmless to humans.

Is the Northern redbelly dace edible?

The Northern redbelly dace is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Noordelijke roodbuikelrits sourced
English name
Northern redbelly dace verified
Scientific name
Chrosomus eos
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Northern redbelly dace; Northern redbelly minnow; Red bellied dace verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Chrosomus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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