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Spikedace (Meda fulgida) — Cyprinidae

Spikedace

Meda fulgida
Family: Cyprinidae
EN · Endangered

The Spikedace (Meda fulgida) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9.1 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The spikedace is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear, flowing rivers of the Gila drainage in the southwestern United States. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a shiny, almost metallic flank and stout spines in the dorsal fin. As a bottom-oriented omnivore it lives in riffles and eats insect larvae and small invertebrates. Through water use and introduced species the species is critically endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spikedace?

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

Where does the Spikedace live?

The Spikedace lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spikedace get?

The Spikedace grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 6 cm.

Is the Spikedace dangerous to humans?

No, the Spikedace is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Stekel-elritsje sourced
English name
Spikedace sourced
Scientific name
Meda fulgida
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Spikedace verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.1 verified
Average length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom 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
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Cyprinidae

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