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Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) — Cyprinidae

Flame Chub

Hemitremia flammea
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern United States
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The flame chub is a small freshwater minnow from the southeastern United States, tied to clear springs and spring runs. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky body with a dark lateral stripe; breeding males develop a flaming-red belly and fin bases. As a dweller of cool, clear, weedy spring water it feeds on small invertebrates, algae and detritus. Owing to loss of springs the species is sensitive. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Flame Chub?

The Flame Chub has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Spawning male with a flaming red belly; spring-dwelling minnow

Where does the Flame Chub live?

The Flame Chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Southeastern United States

How big does the Flame Chub get?

The Flame Chub grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Flame Chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Flame Chub 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 Flame Chub edible?

The Flame Chub is not usually eaten.

More photos

Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jeff Garner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Fletcher Stone, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) warmouthkee, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Yinan Li, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Flame Chub verified
Scientific name
Hemitremia flammea
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Flame chub verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Southeastern United States verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Spring-dwelling minnow; spawns in spring. sourced
Special features
Spawning male with a flaming red belly; spring-dwelling minnow sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable 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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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