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Highback chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus) — Cyprinidae

Highback chub

Hybopsis hypsinotus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Highback chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Highback chub is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from fresh water of the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, silvery body, sometimes with a dark longitudinal stripe, and a pair of small barbels at the inferior mouth. As a bottom-oriented fish it lives in clear, flowing rivers and streams and searches for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Highback chub?

The Highback chub has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Highback chub live?

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

How big does the Highback chub get?

The Highback chub grows to a maximum of about 7 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Highback chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Highback 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.

More photos

Highback chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) perks_mike, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Highback chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) jleisen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Highback chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Joshua Rains, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Highback chub (Hybopsis hypsinotus) — Cyprinidae — 5
Spencer Pearson (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Highback chub sourced
Scientific name
Hybopsis hypsinotus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.2 verified
Average length (cm)
5.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
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 Hybopsis

More from the family Cyprinidae

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