Lake chub (Couesius plumbeus)

Scientific name: Couesius plumbeus Agassiz, 1850

The Lake chub (Couesius plumbeus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 4–25°C (39–77°F).

Lake chub care at a glance

Temperature: 4–25°C (39–77°F)

Biology

Inhabits virtually any body of water, standing or flowing, large or small. Most common in gravel-bottom pools and runs of streams and along rocky lake margins. Mostly in shallow water, but may move to deeper parts of lakes during hot weather. Feeds on zooplankton, algae, terrestrial and aquatic insects, and small fishes.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Couesius plumbeus
Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps)
Order: Cypriniformes (Carps)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 23.0
Common length: 10.5
Environment: Freshwater;; pH range: 6.5 - 7.8 demersal
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: North America: Alaska (Yukon River drainage). Throughout most of Canada and northern USA; south to Delaware River in New York, south end of Lake Michigan, Illinois, Platte River system in Colorado, and Columbia River drainage in Washington, USA. Relict population in Mississippi River basin in Iowa, USA. Sometimes hybridizes with Rhinichthys cataractae in Lake Superior.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: public aquariums; bait: occasionally
Resilience: Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (tm=2-4; tmax=5; K=0.36)