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Altai minnow (Phoxinus ujmonensis) — Cyprinidae

Altai minnow

Phoxinus ujmonensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Altai minnow (Phoxinus ujmonensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
11.6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Altai minnow is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from cool rivers and mountain lakes of the Altai Mountains in Central Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, darkish body with a marbled pattern; in the breeding season males flush with reddish tones. It lives in schools in clear, cool water and eats insects, larvae, algae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Altai minnow?

The Altai minnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Altai minnow live?

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

How big does the Altai minnow get?

The Altai minnow grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Altai minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Altai minnow is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Altai-elritsje sourced
English name
Altai minnow sourced
Scientific name
Phoxinus ujmonensis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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

Same genus Phoxinus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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