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Tennessee dace (Chrosomus tennesseensis) — Cyprinidae

Tennessee dace

Chrosomus tennesseensis
Family: Cyprinidae

The Tennessee dace (Chrosomus tennesseensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Tennessee dace is a small minnow (Leuciscidae) from fresh water of the southeastern United States. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, dark body with a golden longitudinal line; spawning males colour vivid red on the belly and flanks. As a schooling fish it swims in clear, cool streams and snaps at algae, small invertebrates and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Tennessee dace?

The Tennessee dace has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a horizontal stripes pattern.

Where does the Tennessee dace live?

The Tennessee dace lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. North America: USA

How big does the Tennessee dace get?

The Tennessee dace grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Tennessee dace dangerous to humans?

No, the Tennessee dace 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

Tennessee dace (Chrosomus tennesseensis) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Cristian Hernandez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tennessee dace (Chrosomus tennesseensis) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) rhodeus, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Tennessee dace (Chrosomus tennesseensis) — Cyprinidae — 4
iNaturalist (no rights reserved)
Tennessee dace (Chrosomus tennesseensis) — Cyprinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) will shepard, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Tennessee dace sourced
Scientific name
Chrosomus tennesseensis
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
Tennessee dace verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Horizontal stripes sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: USA 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 Chrosomus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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