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Siebold's minnow (Nipponocypris sieboldii) — Cyprinidae

Siebold's minnow

Nipponocypris sieboldii
Family: Cyprinidae

The Siebold's minnow (Nipponocypris sieboldii) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
12.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Japan

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Description

Siebold's minnow is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear rivers and streams of Japan and Korea in East Asia. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a dark longitudinal band; in the breeding season males flush with red-orange and blue tones. It lives in schools in flowing water and eats insects, larvae, algae and small invertebrate life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Siebold's minnow?

The Siebold's minnow has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Siebold's minnow live?

The Siebold's minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: Japan

How big does the Siebold's minnow get?

The Siebold's minnow grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Siebold's minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Siebold's 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

Siebold's minnow (Nipponocypris sieboldii) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Ffish.asia (CC BY 4.0)
Siebold's minnow (Nipponocypris sieboldii) — Cyprinidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Ffish.asia (CC BY 4.0)
Siebold's minnow (Nipponocypris sieboldii) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) WATANABE Hitoshi 渡辺仁, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Siebold's minnow (Nipponocypris sieboldii) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) haru516, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Siebold's minnow sourced
Scientific name
Nipponocypris sieboldii
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: Japan 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
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 Nipponocypris

More from the family Cyprinidae

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