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Thicktail chub (Gila crassicauda) — Cyprinidae

Thicktail chub

Gila crassicauda
Family: Cyprinidae

The Thicktail chub (Gila crassicauda) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 25 cm.

Length
25 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The thicktail chub was a cyprinid (Leuciscidae) from slow-flowing lowland rivers, marshes and lakes of the Central Valley of California in the United States. The species grew to about 30 cm and had a stocky, dark body with a strikingly thick tail base. As an omnivore it swam in turbid water and ate insect larvae, small crustaceans and plant matter. Through drainage and habitat loss it became extinct in the twentieth century. The fish was harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Thicktail chub?

The Thicktail chub has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Thicktail chub live?

The Thicktail chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Thicktail chub get?

The Thicktail chub grows to a maximum of about 25 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Thicktail chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Thicktail chub is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dikstaart-meun sourced
English name
Thicktail chub sourced
Scientific name
Gila crassicauda
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Thicktail chub verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
25.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gila

More from the family Cyprinidae

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