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Whitefin gudgeon (Romanogobio albipinnatus) — Cyprinidae

Whitefin gudgeon

Romanogobio albipinnatus
Family: Cyprinidae
LC · Least Concern

The Whitefin gudgeon (Romanogobio albipinnatus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Fresh water of Central and Eastern Europe, on sandy bottoms of the upper and middle reaches of rivers with moderate to fast current.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The whitefin gudgeon is a small, slender gudgeon of the family Cyprinidae reaching about 13 cm. The elongate, brownish body bears a row of faint dark spots along the flank; characteristic are the pale, whitish dorsal and tail fins, from which the species takes its name. The inferior mouth has two long barbels, with which the fish searches the bottom by touch. The species is adapted to flowing water and lives on sand bottoms of the upper and middle reaches of rivers of central and eastern Europe, mainly in the Danube and Volga drainages. In small groups it searches the bottom for insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms. In late spring it spawns on sand and gravel banks. Because of its small size it has no fishery importance.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Whitefin gudgeon?

The Whitefin gudgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Slender little river gudgeon with an inferior mouth and two long barbels; the dorsal and caudal fin are pale (whitish), with a row of faint blotches on the flank.

Where does the Whitefin gudgeon live?

The Whitefin gudgeon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Fresh water of Central and Eastern Europe, on sandy bottoms of the upper and middle reaches of rivers with moderate to fast current.

How big does the Whitefin gudgeon get?

The Whitefin gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Whitefin gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Whitefin gudgeon is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Whitefin gudgeon edible?

The Whitefin gudgeon is not usually eaten.

More photos

Whitefin gudgeon (Romanogobio albipinnatus) — Cyprinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) olegglushenkov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Whitefin gudgeon (Romanogobio albipinnatus) — Cyprinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Евгений Софронов, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Whitefin gudgeon verified
Scientific name
Romanogobio albipinnatus
Family
Cyprinidae
Other names
White-finned gudgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
Yes verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater verified
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Natural range
Fresh water of Central and Eastern Europe, on sandy bottoms of the upper and middle reaches of rivers with moderate to fast current. verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore verified
Diet (detail)
Insect larvae, small crustaceans and worms from the bottom sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups verified
Territorial
No verified
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes verified
Sexual dimorphism
No verified
levensduur_max_jaar
5.0 verified
Seasonality
Bottom-dweller of flowing water; spawns in late spring on sand and gravel banks. sourced
Special features
Slender little river gudgeon with an inferior mouth and two long barbels; the dorsal and caudal fin are pale (whitish), with a row of faint blotches on the flank. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten verified
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Romanogobio

More from the family Cyprinidae

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