Flathead chub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Flathead chub |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Platygobio
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| Species: |
gracilis
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The flathead chub (Platygobio gracilis) is a type of fish that belongs to the carp family. It's the only species in its special group called Platygobio. This fish lives in North America, mostly in the central parts of Canada and the United States.
Contents
Where the Flathead Chub Lives
Scientists first learned about the flathead chub from the Saskatchewan River way back in 1836. This fish also lives in three other big river systems in central North America. These include the Mackenzie, Missouri-Mississippi, and Rio Grande rivers. You can find them from the Northwest Territories in Canada all the way down to Texas in the United States.
About the Flathead Chub
What Does It Look Like?
The flathead chub is a type of minnow. It has a long body and a flat head that looks a bit like a wedge. Its snout is pointed, and it has a large mouth with special whiskers called barbels.
This fish has fins that look like sickles, especially its pectoral fins. Its tail fin is forked, meaning it splits into two pointed parts. It even has taste buds on its anal and pelvic fins! The flathead chub has a slightly curved line along its side, called a lateral line, and large scales.
Adult flathead chubs can be brownish, olive green, or black. Their sides and belly often have a shiny silver color. Most adults are about 9 to 18 centimeters (3.5 to 7 inches) long. Some can grow as long as 26 centimeters (10 inches). Male and female flathead chubs look very similar.
Where and How It Lives
Flathead chubs live in rivers and large streams. They often prefer waters that move quickly and are a bit cloudy or turbid. These fish might gather in groups, but they usually swim on their own. They don't typically form big, organized schools like some other fish.
Scientists don't know much about how these fish lay their eggs. They also haven't seen them eat very often. However, it's believed that flathead chubs mostly eat insects.
See also
In Spanish: Platygobio gracilis para niños
