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Stargazing minnow (Phenacobius uranops) — Cyprinidae

Stargazing minnow

Phenacobius uranops
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The stargazing minnow is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from the eastern United States. The species has an elongate, slender body with upward-pointing eyes, to which the name refers, and an inferior, fleshy mouth. It inhabits gravel and rubble runs and riffles of clear, fast-flowing creeks and small to medium rivers. With its mouth it searches the bottom for dipteran and caddisfly larvae and other small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stargazing minnow?

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

Where does the Stargazing minnow live?

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

How big does the Stargazing minnow get?

The Stargazing minnow grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 8 cm.

Is the Stargazing minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Stargazing minnow is harmless to humans.

Is the Stargazing minnow edible?

The Stargazing minnow is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sterrenkijker-glansvis sourced
English name
Stargazing minnow verified
Scientific name
Phenacobius uranops
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Average length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups 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 Phenacobius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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