Home · Cyprinidae · Suckermouth minnow
Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) — Cyprinidae

Suckermouth minnow

Phenacobius mirabilis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

Want the complete picture on the Suckermouth minnow?

Get the app

Description

The Suckermouth minnow is a small minnow bottom-fish (Leuciscidae) from fresh water of the central Mississippi basin in North America. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, silvery body with an underslung, fleshy sucker mouth. As a bottom-dweller it searches gravel and sand bottoms of clear, flowing streams for insect larvae and small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Suckermouth minnow?

The Suckermouth minnow has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Suckermouth minnow live?

The Suckermouth minnow lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: USA

How big does the Suckermouth minnow get?

The Suckermouth minnow grows to a maximum of about 12 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Suckermouth minnow dangerous to humans?

No, the Suckermouth 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Suckermouth minnow?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Suckermouth minnow is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Suckermouth minnow sourced
Scientific name
Phenacobius mirabilis
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified
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 Phenacobius

More from the family Cyprinidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Suckermouth minnow?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Suckermouth minnow is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Suckermouth minnow? Get the app