Fin's Fish Guide
The Dark chub (Nipponocypris temminckii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 17 cm.
East Asia (Japan, Korea and China), in clear, flowing streams and rivers with gravel and stone bottoms.
Description
The dark chub is a slender East Asian cyprinid of the family Cyprinidae reaching about 17 cm. The laterally compressed body bears a dark stripe along the flank; breeding males colour spectacularly with red and blue-green tints and develop small breeding tubercles on the head. The species lives in schools in clear, flowing streams and rivers with gravel and stone bottoms in Japan, Korea and China. As an omnivore it eats insects from the surface and bottom, algae and small crustaceans. In spring it spawns over gravel, where the male defends a spawning site. It is a common stream fish of East Asia and a prey fish for larger species and waterbirds.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Dark chub?
The Dark chub has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Slender East Asian cyprinid with a dark longitudinal band; in the spawning season the male colours up with red and blue tints and breeding tubercles.
Where does the Dark chub live?
The Dark chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. East Asia (Japan, Korea and China), in clear, flowing streams and rivers with gravel and stone bottoms.
How big does the Dark chub get?
The Dark chub grows to a maximum of about 17 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.
Is the Dark chub dangerous to humans?
No, the Dark chub is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Dark chub edible?
The Dark chub is rarely eaten.
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Same genus Nipponocypris
More from the family Cyprinidae
Want the complete picture on the Dark chub?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Dark chub is one of 12,519 species in the app.