Fathead Minnow, Pimephales promelas

Physical Description:
· Somewhat deep and compressed body
· Dorsal fin origin above or a little behind pelvic fin base
· Medium-sized eye
· Small, terminal or slightly subterminal mouth; short, blunt snout
· Straw-olive or brown back, silver side, silver-white belly
· Faint dark side stripe
· Breeding male somewhat yellow in color

Similar species:
· Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus)

Mean body size:
· Adults are 40-60 mm total length

Habitat:
· Warm streams in pools and in ponds and lakes


Food Habits:
· Insects, detritus, and algae

Reproductive Habits:
· Mature in 1 year
· Spawning occurs May through August in water 15-32°C
· Fecundity is 6,803-10,164 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
· Popular as a bait fish