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Fatlips minnow (Phenacobius crassilabrum) — Cyprinidae

Fatlips minnow

Phenacobius crassilabrum
Family: Cyprinidae

The Fatlips minnow (Phenacobius crassilabrum) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The fatlips minnow is a North American minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear, fast-flowing streams and rivers of the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, silvery body with an inferior, thick-lipped sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it sucks over sand and gravel and snaps at insect larvae, worms and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fatlips minnow?

The Fatlips minnow has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Fatlips minnow live?

The Fatlips minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Fatlips minnow get?

The Fatlips minnow grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Fatlips minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Fatlips minnow 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

Fatlips minnow (Phenacobius crassilabrum) — Cyprinidae — 2
Bell Museum, University of Minnesota (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — JFBM
Fatlips minnow (Phenacobius crassilabrum) — Cyprinidae — 3
Bell Museum, University of Minnesota (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — JFBM
Fatlips minnow (Phenacobius crassilabrum) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Tayton Alvis, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fatlips minnow (Phenacobius crassilabrum) — Cyprinidae — 5
Illinois Natural History Survey - Fish Collection (INHS-FISH) (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — INHS
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fatlips minnow sourced
Scientific name
Phenacobius crassilabrum
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.2 verified
Average length (cm)
7.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA 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

Same genus Phenacobius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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