Chub (Squalius cephalus)

Scientific name: Squalius cephalus Linnaeus, 1758

The Chub (Squalius cephalus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–20°C (39–68°F).

Chub care at a glance

Temperature: 4–20°C (39–68°F)

Biology

Most abundant in small rivers and large streams of barbel zone with riffles and pools. Found along shores of slow-flowing lowland rivers, even in very small mountain streams, and in large lake, undertaking spawning migration to inflowing streams. Adults are solitary while juveniles occur in groups. Feeding larvae and juveniles live in very shallow shoreline habitats. Feed on a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals and plant material. Large individuals prey predominantly on fishes. Breed in fast-flowing water above gravel bottom, rarely among submerged vegetation. Often form fertile hybrids with Alburnus alburnus. Popular with amateur sport fishermen. Can be caught with various baits and lures. The flesh is of poor quality

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Squalius cephalus
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 60.0
Common length: 30.0
Environment: Freshwater; brackish;; pH range: 6.0 - 7.8; dH range: 8 - 25 benthopelagic; potamodromous
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Eurasia: North, Baltic, northern Black, White, Barents and Caspian Sea basins, Atlatinc basins southward to Adour drainages (France), Great Britain north to 56°C, Scandinavia: southern Finland, Sweden north to abut Stockholm. Mediterranean basin from Var to Hérault (possibly Aude) (France) drainages. Introduced elsewhere, Naturally absent from Italy and Adriatic basin.
Conservation status (IUCN): Least Concern (LC)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; gamefish: yes
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.12-0.28; tm=3-7; tmax=10; Fec=20,000)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Last updated 27 September 2026