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Roundnose minnow (Dionda episcopa) — Cyprinidae

Roundnose minnow

Dionda episcopa
Family: Cyprinidae

The Roundnose minnow (Dionda episcopa) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Herbivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico, USA

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Description

The roundnose minnow is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from clear spring and desert streams of the southern United States and northern Mexico. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a dark longitudinal stripe and a blunt, round snout with an inferior mouth. As a bottom-oriented grazer it eats mainly algae, supplemented with small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Roundnose minnow?

The Roundnose minnow has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Roundnose minnow live?

The Roundnose minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. North America: Mexico, USA

How big does the Roundnose minnow get?

The Roundnose minnow grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Roundnose minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Roundnose minnow is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Roundnose minnow (Dionda episcopa) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Fishes of Texas team (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Roundnose minnow (Dionda episcopa) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Fishes of Texas team, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Roundnose minnow (Dionda episcopa) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Cathryn Hoyt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Roundnose minnow (Dionda episcopa) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Christina M. Selby, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Roundnose minnow sourced
Scientific name
Dionda episcopa
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Roundnose minnow verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: Mexico, USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Herbivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, seaweeds and plant material inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Dionda

More from the family Cyprinidae

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