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Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) — Cyprinidae

Suckermouth minnow

Phenacobius mirabilis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

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

Description

The Suckermouth minnow is a small minnow bottom-fish (Leuciscidae) from fresh water of the central Mississippi basin in North America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with an underslung, fleshy sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it searches gravel and sand bottoms of clear, flowing streams for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Suckermouth minnow?

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

Where does the Suckermouth minnow live?

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

How big does the Suckermouth minnow get?

The Suckermouth minnow grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Suckermouth minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Suckermouth minnow is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zuigbek-elritsje sourced
English name
Suckermouth minnow sourced
Scientific name
Phenacobius mirabilis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
4.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced

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
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified

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

Same genus Phenacobius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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