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Coin gudgeon (Belligobio nummifer) — Cyprinidae

Coin gudgeon

Belligobio nummifer
Family: Cyprinidae

The Coin gudgeon (Belligobio nummifer) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14.3 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China

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Description

The coin gudgeon is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from fresh water of rivers in East Asia. The species grows to about 15 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with a row of round, coin-like dark blotches along the flank and a pair of barbels at the inferior mouth. As a bottom-dweller it searches sand and gravel bottoms for insect larvae, worms and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Coin gudgeon?

The Coin gudgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Coin gudgeon live?

The Coin gudgeon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China

How big does the Coin gudgeon get?

The Coin gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 14 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Coin gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Coin gudgeon 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

Coin gudgeon (Belligobio nummifer) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) firefly-hunter, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coin gudgeon (Belligobio nummifer) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) 昆虫学liuye, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coin gudgeon (Belligobio nummifer) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) fat_man, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Coin gudgeon (Belligobio nummifer) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) fat_man, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Coin gudgeon sourced
Scientific name
Belligobio nummifer
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.3 verified
Average length (cm)
10.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China 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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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