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Yangtze gudgeon (Coreius heterodon) — Cyprinidae

Yangtze gudgeon

Coreius heterodon
Family: Cyprinidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Yangtze gudgeon (Coreius heterodon) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 53 cm.

Length
53 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
China (Yangtze basin)
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Yangtze gudgeon is a cyprinid gudgeon from China, mainly from the Yangtze drainage. It grows to about 53 cm, although most individuals are around 17 cm. It has a stocky body with an inferior mouth and barbels, characteristic of the gudgeons of the family Gobionidae. A bottom-dweller, the fish lives in flowing fresh water and searches the bottom for invertebrates. It is a locally valued food fish. The IUCN has not evaluated the species (NE).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yangtze gudgeon?

The Yangtze gudgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Inferior mouth with barbels; bottom-dweller of flowing water

Where does the Yangtze gudgeon live?

The Yangtze gudgeon lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. China (Yangtze basin)

How big does the Yangtze gudgeon get?

The Yangtze gudgeon grows to a maximum of about 53 cm. On average the species is around 17 cm.

Is the Yangtze gudgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Yangtze gudgeon 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.

Is the Yangtze gudgeon edible?

Yes, the Yangtze gudgeon is commonly eaten.

More photos

Yangtze gudgeon (Coreius heterodon) — Cyprinidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — David Starr Jordan / Alvin Seale (Public domain)
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All data

Identification

English name
Yangtze gudgeon verified
Scientific name
Coreius heterodon
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Large verified
Max length (cm)
53.0 verified
Average length (cm)
16.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0 sourced
Natural range
China (Yangtze basin) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Benthic invertebrates and organic material inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dweller of flowing water; spawns in spring. sourced
Special features
Inferior mouth with barbels; bottom-dweller of flowing water sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with worm or maggot in flowing water. sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Coreius

More from the family Cyprinidae

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