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Siberian gudgeon (Gobio cynocephalus) — Cyprinidae

Siberian gudgeon

Gobio cynocephalus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Siberian gudgeon (Gobio cynocephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Korea (North), Korea (South), Mongolia, Russia

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Description

The Siberian gudgeon is a gudgeon (Gobionidae) from clear rivers, streams and lakes of Siberia and East Asia. The species grows to about 12 cm and has a slender, silver-brown body with a row of dark spots on the flank, an inferior mouth and a pair of barbels. As a bottom-oriented schooling fish it searches over sand and gravel for insect larvae, worms and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Siberian gudgeon?

The Siberian gudgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Siberian gudgeon live?

The Siberian gudgeon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Korea (North), Korea (South), Mongolia, Russia

How big does the Siberian gudgeon get?

The Siberian gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 19 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Siberian gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Siberian gudgeon 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

Siberian gudgeon (Gobio cynocephalus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Татьяна Юрьевна Калугина, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Siberian gudgeon (Gobio cynocephalus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Stanislav Cherepushkin, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Siberian gudgeon (Gobio cynocephalus) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) timashtree, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Siberian gudgeon sourced
Scientific name
Gobio cynocephalus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Average length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Korea (North), Korea (South), Mongolia, Russia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Gobio

More from the family Cyprinidae

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