Cyprinidae

BIOLOGY:
Rosy Red Minnow, Rosy Reds, Blackhead Minnow, Tuffy Minnow, Rosy Red Feeders, Ruby Red Feeders and Red Top Minnow are common names for the Fathead Minnow. The male is larger in body size (2-3 inch) than the female (1-2 inch). The life span is 2-4 years. Coloration is natural brown with black with the exception of Rosy Red Minnows which are light orange. This rosy red color variety was developed in Taylor, Arkansas by Billy Bland Fisheries.

DISTRIBUTION:
This temperate freshwater fish species has been distributed from central Canada south along the Rockies to Texas, and east to Virginia and the Northeastern United States.

HABITS and HABITATS:
They feed on microscopic and filamentous algae, zooplankton, insect larvae, detritus etc. Their diet consists of 30-38% protein which includes 3-8% fat. They prefer small streams and lakes. These fish can tolerate turbid and low oxygenated water.

USES:
Fathead minnows are being used as baitfish, feeder fish and aquarium fish. They are the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended vertebrate species for freshwater chronic toxicity test.

WATER QUALITY:
They survive temperature ranges of 33-100 °F. However, the preferred temperature range for culturing fatheads is 50-75 °F. pH preference is 7-8. They thrive in moderately hard water and the salinity preference is below 15 ppt.

REPRODUCTION:
Fathead minnow spawns from early May through August. They reach sexual maturation in one year. Because of the rapid reproduction rate, they are an excellent choice for stocking where predatory fish are present. The adhesive eggs are deposited on the under surface of floating objects, where the male guards them. Multiple spawns take place during spawning season. Each spawn produces 200-300 eggs that will hatch in 5 to 6 days. The pond stocking rate of fathead minnow is 50,000- 300,000 per acre.

PRODUCTION:
The major fathead minnow producing states are Minnesota, Arkansas, New York, Wisconsin, Ohio, Kansas and Nebraska. The major states in terms of sales of fathead minnows are Arkansas, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio and Tennessee.

REFERENCES:
Gray, D. L. 1988. Baitfish feeds and feeding practices. Southern Regional Aquaculture Center 121.
Lawrence, M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. Freshwater Fishes 129-130. Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY.
Stone, N., E. Park, L. Dorman, and H. Thomforde. Baitfish culture in Arkansas. Coperative Extension Program, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/species_a_to_z/SpeciesGuideIndex/fatheadminnow/tabid/6627/Default.aspx
http://www.iisgcp.org/catalog/downlds_09/Fathead%20Minnow.pdf
http://www.uaex.edu/nstone/currentresearch.htm

FAMILY: Cyprinidae

NAME: Pimephalis promelas - Fathead minnow