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Smyrna chub (Petroleuciscus smyrnaeus) — Cyprinidae

Smyrna chub

Petroleuciscus smyrnaeus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Smyrna chub (Petroleuciscus smyrnaeus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
Europe: Greece, Türkiye

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Description

The Smyrna chub is a small cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from clear streams, pools and rivers of the streams and rivers of Anatolia in West Asia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, silvery body, often with dark spots or crossbars and in males with red or yellow tints. As a social fish it swims in groups in the water column and snaps at insect larvae, small plankton and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Smyrna chub?

The Smyrna chub has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Smyrna chub live?

The Smyrna chub lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. Europe: Greece, Türkiye

How big does the Smyrna chub get?

The Smyrna chub grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Smyrna chub dangerous to humans?

No, the Smyrna chub 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Smyrna chub sourced
Scientific name
Petroleuciscus smyrnaeus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Smyrna chub; Izmir chub verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
Europe: Greece, Türkiye sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups 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 Petroleuciscus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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