Acheilognathinae

Bitter (Rhodeus amarus )

The bitterling ( Acheilognathinae ) ( Syn: Rhodeinae ) are a subfamily of the carp family (Cyprinidae ). The fish live in Asia, with the exception of Central Asia, but including Japan. Two species occur in Europe.

Bitterlings have a relatively long anal fin, which is supported by nine to twelve fin rays and extends forward to below the dorsal fin. Barbels are absent or small. From the characteristic of carp fish pharyngeal teeth, the fish have only one row. They are 4.7 to 27.5 inches long.

Reproduction

Bitterlings spawn in the mantle cavity of river mussels ( Unionidae ) ( genera Unio and anodontia ). To this end, the male attracts the female to a shell. To safely store the eggs in the shell form the females during the spawning season a long ovipositor. The males grow to spawning time on the tip of the snout Perlorgane.

Genera

• Subfamily Acheilognathinae Acanthorhodeus Bleeker, 1871 ( 2 species)
• Acheilognathus Bleeker, 1860 ( 37 species )
• Paracheilognathus ( Günther, 1868) ( 1 species )
• Rhodeus Agassiz, 1832 (18 species)
• Tanakia Jordan & Thompson, 1914 ( 3 types)