Minnow
Phoxinus phoxinus
Also known as: Channel Minnow, Common Minnow
About This Species
This small, slender fish gathers in shoals over gravel and sand in clear, well-oxygenated streams, rivers and lake margins, often visible from a bank or bridge on a bright day as it holds station facing the current. Look for shimmering groups moving in unison in shallow riffles during spring and summer, when spawning aggregations make them easiest to spot; polarised sunglasses cut glare and make the shoals far easier to pick out against the streambed.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Viewing from the bank or a bridge causes no disturbance, and wading should be kept to a minimum since it stirs sediment and can crush eggs laid in gravel during the spawning season.
- Freshwater fish habitats are protected under general water-quality and fisheries legislation in many countries, so avoid disturbing streambeds, removing individuals, or interfering with spawning gravel.
- If entering the water at all, move slowly and stay well clear of visible spawning aggregations.
LCNaNCypriniformesCyprinidae
Seasonal Activity
865,380 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- NaN
- Order
- Cypriniformes
- Family
- Cyprinidae
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.