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