Cyprinidae facts for kids

Cyprinidae (say: Sip-RIN-ih-day) is a very large family of freshwater fish. They belong to a group called Actinopterygii, which are fish with fins supported by bony rays. This amazing family includes more than 3,000 different kinds of fish!

You might know some of these fish, like carp, minnows, and barbs. They live in freshwater all over the world, except for places like South America, Antarctica, and Australia. Cyprinids come in many sizes. Some are tiny, less than 5 centimeters (2 inches) long. Others, like the Giant barb, can grow to more than 2.5 meters (8 feet) long!

Rhodeus sinensis is a type of cyprinid fish.

What Makes Cyprinids Special?

Cyprinids are known for a few cool features. Most of them have no teeth in their jaws. Instead, they have special teeth in their throat called pharyngeal teeth. These teeth help them chew their food.

Many cyprinids also have barbels. These are whisker-like feelers around their mouths. They use barbels to find food in murky water or along the bottom. Think of them like tiny fingers helping them explore.

Where Do Cyprinids Live?

These fish are found in many different freshwater places. You can find them in rivers, lakes, ponds, and even small streams. They are very adaptable. This means they can live in many different environments.

Cyprinids are common in Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. They are a big part of the freshwater ecosystems in these areas.

Types of Cyprinids

Because there are so many species, cyprinids come in many shapes and sizes. Here are a few examples:

Carp and Minnows

• Carp are well-known cyprinids. They are often raised for food in many parts of the world. The common carp is one of the most famous.
• Minnows are usually small fish. They are often used as bait for fishing. Some minnows, like the goldfish, are popular pets. Goldfish were first bred in China from a type of carp.

Other Interesting Cyprinids

• Danios are small, colorful fish. They are popular in home aquariums. The zebra danio is often used in science research.
• Rasboras are another group of small, pretty fish. They are also common in aquariums.
• The tench is a unique cyprinid. It has very small scales and a slimy skin. It often lives in slow-moving waters with lots of plants.

Why Are Cyprinids Important?

Cyprinids play many important roles.

Food Source

Many species of cyprinids are important for food. They are caught by fishermen or raised on fish farms. Carp, for example, are a major food source in many Asian and European countries.

Aquarium Pets

Many small and colorful cyprinids are popular as pets. Goldfish, danios, and rasboras are just a few examples. They are often easy to care for and add beauty to home aquariums.

Ecosystem Role

In their natural habitats, cyprinids are an important part of the food web. They eat small insects, plants, and algae. In turn, they are food for larger fish, birds, and other animals.

Images for kids

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  Giant barbs (Catlocarpio siamensis) are the largest members of this family.

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  Wild capture of cyprinids by species in million tonnes, 1950–2009, as reported by the FAO

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  Rainbow shark, Epalzeorhynchos frenatum, a somewhat aggressive aquarium fish

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  Acheilognathus longipinnis: Acheilognathinae

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  Blue danio, Danio kerri: Danioninae

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  Pseudogobio esocinus , Gobioninae

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  Silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix: Xenocyprinae, alternatively Hypophthalmichthyinae

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  Rohu, Labeo rohita, of the disputed Labeoninae

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  The tench, Tinca tinca, is of unclear affiliations and often placed in a subfamily of its own.

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  Flame chub Hemitremia flammea, one of the chubs in the Leuciscinae)

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  Ide, Leuciscus idus , one of the Eurasian daces

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  Sailfin shiner, Notropis hypselopterus, a small and colorful shiner of the Leuciscinae

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  Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, a minnow related to some North American daces

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  Sarmarutilus rubilio, a European roach

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  Trigonostigma somphongsi, a rasbora, a relative of the blue danio above

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  Black carp, Mylopharyngodon piceus: Squaliobarbinae

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  Hemigrammocypris rasborella, of uncertain relationship: Possibly related to Aphyocypris.

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  Flame chub Hemitremia flammea, one of the chubs in the Leuciscinae)

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  Ide, Leuciscus idus , one of the Eurasian daces

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  Sailfin shiner, Notropis hypselopterus, a small and colorful shiner of the Leuciscinae

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  Rhynchocypris oxycephalus, a minnow related to some North American daces

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  Sarmarutilus rubilio, a European roach

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  Trigonostigma somphongsi, a rasbora, a relative of the blue danio above

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  Black carp, Mylopharyngodon piceus: Squaliobarbinae

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  Hemigrammocypris rasborella, of uncertain relationship: Possibly related to Aphyocypris.

See also

In Spanish: Ciprínidos para niños