Species · GBIF taxon 2362881
Sunbleak
Leucaspius delineatusAlso known as Belica, Moderlieschen, Motherless Minnow
Sunbleak are tiny, surface-dwelling carp relatives known for their bright silver scales that gleam in sunlight. They form dense shoals in calm, heavily vegetated ponds, lakes, and backwaters across Europe and Western Asia, feeding actively on tiny crustaceans and surface insects. Females wrap sticky bands of eggs in spiral ribbons around submerged plant stems, which males guard diligently until the fry hatch.
FreshwaterShoalingSilver
1 / 4—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Zooplankton
- Insect larvae
- Surface flies
Predators
- Northern Pike
- European Perch
- Grey Heron
ThreatsWetland drainage, water pollution, and invasive fish competition
HabitatsPonds, shallow lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving river margins with rich vegetation
Life span3–5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCyprinidae
- SpeciesLeucaspius delineatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look for shimmering shoals flickering near the water surface around lily pads on sunny days.
- Habitat Protection: Preserve soft aquatic vegetation along pond margins to protect vital spawning sites.
- Aquarium Keeping: Maintain social groups of six or more individuals to encourage natural shoaling behavior.
Ecological Competitor Adrien Pinot / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Patrick Jackson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Jackson · cc-by
Close Relative Piet Spaans / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
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