Hello Folks! It's time to go underwater and explore the wonderful world of UK fish. Some are spotty, some have stripes. Some prefer lakes, others prefer streams. Prepare to get your feet wet and get your fins in a flap!Each Monday for 12 weeks I will be posting a little teaser for you. Without looking in books or on the internet (i.e - no cheating), see if you can identify the UK fish On Wednesday, so as long as no-one has guessed it, I will post one clue. On Friday I will post the answer along with some additional information for your interest.MYSTERY FISH QUIZ #9Clue: I won't carp on about this, but I am the smallest.
Could this be a Minnow which is a small member of the Carp family (cyprinidae) ?
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Clue tomorrow!
Goldfish
To each their own
Clue: Two, hip sun ox.
Phinoxus still a Minnow in my opinion.
Crucian carp?
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. - Albert Einstein
I think we are all in the right family but it is extensive.
Congratulations to all of you who guessed (Common) minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus). First, a bit about the clues: The first clue: I won’t carp on about this, but I am the smallest. This refers to the fact that the Common minnow is the smallest of the Carp family in the UK. The second clue: Two, hip sun ox, refers to the Latin name for Minnow – Phoxinus phoxinus. Hip sun ox is an anagram of Phoxinus and two refers to the fact that its mentioned twice!
Belonging to the Cyprinidae family, Minnows measure 8 -10cm in length and are often confused with Gudgeon. Gudgeon, however, are paler in colour and have barbels. Minnow have a blunt snout, large eyes, cream coloured bellies and greenish-brown backs. It is worthy of note that the bellies of males turn red during the spawning season. Minnow prefer fast-flowing well oxygenated fresh water. Capable of forming reasonable sized shoals, Minnows often fall prey to larger fish and can be used as bait by fishermen. Minnow are partial to algae, small crustaceans, molluscs and insects.
A picture of a Minnow is found here.
Did you know that: in winter, Minnows take to deeper water and shelter under stones or holes in banks.
Keep an eye out for next week’s fish quiz!
Take care,
Claire
Mrs T, do they really grow that big? I don't think I've ever seen one more than 5-6cm
Unknown said: Mrs T, do they really grow that big? I don't think I've ever seen one more than 5-6cm