Minnow – Switzerland’s Fish of the Year 2026
Information from the Swiss Fishing Association
Fish of the Year 2026: The Swiss Fishing Association (SFV) has chosen the minnow as Fish of the Year 2026. In doing so, the SFV wants to draw attention to the fact that the minnow, along with many other small fish, is fighting for its habitat. Interestingly, contrary to previous assumptions, there are not just one but four species of minnow in Switzerland, all of which are adapted to their specific habitats.
At least four different species of minnow
This inconspicuous small fish is still widespread in Switzerland and even occurs in large numbers in some mountain lakes. However, minnows have disappeared from many bodies of water. This puzzling difference can be better understood thanks to new genetic research. There is not just one, but at least four different species of minnow in our country – and they have very different habitat requirements.
- Phoxinus csikii
- Phoxinus lumaireul
- Phoxinus septimaniae
- Phoxinus sp. nov.
The SFV website has some beautiful photos and identification guides to help distinguish between the species:
https://sfv-fsp.ch/de/projekte/fisch-des-jahres/elritze-2026
Link to the website of Bàrbara Calegari: https://www.barbara-calegari.com/
Background photo: (c) Jonas Steiner, https://sfv-fsp.ch/de/projekte/fisch-des-jahres/elritze-2026
On our own behalf
The minnows in the GfI Fish Atlas
Baltische Elritze, Wiener Elritze Phoxinus marsilii
Donau-Elritze, Csikis Elritze Phoxinus csikii
Mitteldeutsche Elritze, Morella Elritze Phoxinus morella
Rheinische Elritze, Elritze, [Artenkomplex Europäische Elritzen] Phoxinus phoxinus
The species Phoxinus lumaireul, Phoxinus septimaniae and Phoxinus sp. nov. found in Switzerland are not (yet?) included in the atlas.
Link zum GfI-Fischartenatlas: https://biodiv-atlas.de/fische/#!/home