Eurasian Minnow Care Guide
Phoxinus phoxinus is a small cool-water shoaling minnow native across Eurasia, suited to unheated, well-oxygenated tanks.
Overview
Phoxinus phoxinus, the Eurasian minnow, is a small cool-water shoaling fish of the family Leuciscidae. FishBase records a maximum length of about 14 cm, with a typical length near 7 cm. It is a temperate species requiring an unheated tank.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cyprinidae
- Genus: Phoxinus
- Scientific name: Phoxinus phoxinus
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species ranges across Eurasia from the Garonne in France eastward to the Anadyr and Amur drainages and Korea, including Scandinavia and Great Britain. It lives in small, fast-flowing streams, large lowland rivers and well-oxygenated lakes at temperatures around 2-20 °C, and migrates upstream to spawn.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 4-20 °C (39-68 °F)
- pH: 6.5-8.0
- GH: 8-20 °dGH
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Lifespan: 3-7 years
Diet
The species is omnivorous. FishBase reports a diet of algae, plant debris, mollusks, crustaceans and insects. In the aquarium it accepts a varied mix of prepared, frozen and live foods.
Compatibility
Eurasian minnow is a peaceful, highly gregarious shoaling fish that forms tighter groups when threatened and detects an alarm substance from injured conspecifics. It should be kept in groups of six or more with other cool-water native species and not mixed with tropical fish.
Breeding
According to FishBase, the species spawns over clean gravel; Wikipedia notes that breeding begins around late spring, with males developing intense colour and chasing behaviour while eggs are laid in gravel.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2024).