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European Minnow

European Minnow

Phoxinus phoxinus

DE: Elritze

* · Not threatened
Maximum Size
12 cm
Waters
8

Distinguishing Features

Small slender fish, very small scales, incomplete lateral line, breeding males with red flanks.

Habitat

Clear, cool streams and rivers with gravel bottom, often in dense schools.

Red List Germany

* · Not threatened

Not threatened in Germany.

The former minnow is now split into four species; the category shown is for Phoxinus phoxinus in the strict sense (Rhine minnow).

Red List of freshwater fish:
Freyhof et al. 2023 · Rote-Liste-Zentrum
IUCN global:
LC · Least Concern

Fishing rules by federal state

Can I keep it?
Federal state Minimum size Closed season Notes
Brandenburg Protected year-round

Not yet researched here — see the ordinance of: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia

Statewide rules for anglers as of 24 Oct 2026, without guarantee. Clubs and waters can set stricter rules; the ordinance text is binding.

Waters

Baden-Württemberg Bavaria Berlin Brandenburg Bremen Hamburg Hesse Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Lower Saxony North Rhine-Westphalia Rhineland-Palatinate Saarland Saxony Saxony-Anhalt Schleswig-Holstein Thuringia Elbe Oder Ems Mosel Havel Spree Finowkanal Oder-Havel-Kanal Main-Donau-Kanal Mittellandkanal Bodensee Chiemsee Ammersee Starnberger See Müritz Steinhuder Meer Scharmützelsee Schwielochsee Senftenberger See Rhein Donau Weser Main Neckar Saale Isar Inn

Map: Natural Earth (public domain); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)

Expected occurrence, modelled from each water's fish zones, habitat type and the federal states the species lives in, and checked against GBIF records — not a record of observations.