Home · Cyprinidae · Weeks' minnow
Weeks' minnow (Leptocypris weeksii) — Cyprinidae

Weeks' minnow

Leptocypris weeksii
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Weeks' minnow (Leptocypris weeksii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Weeks' minnow is a small cyprinid fish from the Congo basin in Central Africa. The species grows to only about 7 cm and has a slender, silvery body typical of open-water swimming cyprinids. It lives in flowing rivers and streams, where it forages in schools on small invertebrates, insects and plant matter. Owing to its small size the species has no fishery value, but it forms a link in the food web as prey for larger fishes. Weeks' minnow is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Weeks' minnow?

The Weeks' minnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Weeks' minnow live?

The Weeks' minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Weeks' minnow get?

The Weeks' minnow grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Weeks' minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Weeks' minnow is harmless to humans.

Is the Weeks' minnow edible?

The Weeks' minnow is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Weeks' rivierkarpertje sourced
English name
Weeks' minnow sourced
Scientific name
Leptocypris weeksii
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Schooling inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Leptocypris

More from the family Cyprinidae

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