New 🐟 Mercury Safety Guide & Omega-3 Rankings Updated for 2026. View Omega-3 Rankings →

💧 Freshwater 🌡️ Temperate

Chinese minnow

Rhynchocypris oxycephala Sauvage & Dabry de Thiersant, 1874
Max Length
17.2 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.7
Depth
-
Climate
Temperate
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
32.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Chinese minnow (Rhynchocypris oxycephala) is a ray-finned fish of the family Cyprinidae. It inhabits freshwater waters in benthic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 17.2 cm. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator.

Scientific Name
Rhynchocypris oxycephala
Authority
Sauvage & Dabry de Thiersant, 1874
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Temperate
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Max Length
17.2 cm
Trophic Level
3.7
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
32.00/100
Water Temp
10–20 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 3; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 8; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7. : fusiform / normal.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Chinese minnow is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

aquatic invertebrates
small fish
algae
detritus

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous
Spawning Season
spring
Spawn Location
Substrate
Fertilization
External

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal. Temperate; 10°C - 20°C

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Trophic Level
3.7±0.57
Food Items

fry, insects and other animal food (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00724 × L3.07 (TL)
Max TL
17.2cm
Dorsal Spines
3
Dorsal Rays
8
Anal Spines
3
Anal Rays
7

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
10–20°C
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
32.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.7
Predator
Body Shape
Fusiform / normal
Climate Zone
Temperate
Described By
Sauvage & Dabry de Thiersant, 1874

🦠 Common Diseases

The following diseases are known to affect Chinese minnow.

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
0 Observations logged on Aquareap

No observations yet - be the first to log one!

View all observations for Chinese minnow ↗
Suggest an Edit

Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.

Link to a scientific paper, FishBase, or other authoritative source
Report an Issue

Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.