Trying to find a good resource to identify fry in the pond from spawning. We have a couple of different forage species in the pond but can't seem to locate a good source in the searches I've done on google and minnow identification pages. Our forage fish are:

Fathead Minnows
Ruby Reds
Golden Shiners
Native Bluegill
Redear Sunfish
Tilapia (edited in...forgot to list)

Yellow Perch

Seeing loads of fry in the pond and it appears as though there may be two different types based on coloration of the fish but that may also be size of the fry too.

1st small fish we are seeing is basically 1/2 - 3/4" long silverish sides with a dark lateral line about center of the fish horizontally from behind head to the tail. This fish also seem to flit their tail for small movements in the water vs swimming or cruising the bank. These seem to be in smaller groups of say 50-100 fish. I was thinking these were Fathead. Not seeing anything in pink/pale orange color of the ruby red.


2nd small fish we are seeing is 3/4"+ with more of a dark colored back and mid and belly appear more silver. More of a swimming movement in the water. These guys will work as a group to take a floating Optimal JR pellet and munch on it as they push it through the water. Curious if these might be shiners. There was a group of these guys that I was really amazed by. They covered an area of 1' x 3' stacked-up side by side and cruised along the shore in front of the feeder. When I approached them the group split and half went left and the other half to the right.


Both of these are pretty narrow top to bottom / not short and tall like BG/RES.

Tried to take a couple of pics but when zooming in they are pretty grainy and not really usable to post to help identify. Had hoped there was something in the archives but I didn't see anything for Fry Identification.

There a good place to look?

Last edited by Boondoggle; 06/04/24 11:16 PM.
1.5acre LMB, YP, BG, RES, GSH, Seasonal Tilapia
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