Freshwater
Fathead minnow
Pimephales promelas
Leuciscidae, Pogonichthyinae
Facts
Characteristics
- Length
- Up to 10.1 cm
- Body shape
- Streamlined
Care
- Group
- Missing
- Smallest aquarium
- 40 liters
- Diet
- Missing
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Behavior
Water values
Smallest tank
Range
NativeIntroduced
Lives wild in Canada, Mexico, and United States.
Introduced to Belgium, France, Iran, Puerto Rico, and United Kingdom.
More about the species
Description
Inhabits muddy pools of headwaters, creeks, small rivers, and ponds. Also found in lakes. Can tolerate conditions (e.g., turbid, hot, poorly oxygenated, intermittent streams) unsuitable for most fishes. Feeds on detritus and algae. Spawns in still-water habitats along shores. Introductions consequently caused the spread of the enteric red-mouth disease throughout northern Europe which infected wild and cultured trouts and eels. Maintained a relatively high metabolic rate and level of activity under hypoxic conditions. Individuals that survived the hypoxic conditions during winter had rapid growth rates after ice-off.
Other names
Other scientific names
- Cliola smithii
- Colistus parietalis
- Hyborhynchus confertus
- Hyborhynchus nigellus
- Hyborhynchus puniceus
- Pimephales agassizii
In other languages
- Knölskallelöja
- Tyrehoved, Tykhovedet Elritse
- Paksupäämutu
- Black-head minnow, Rosey reds
Articles
All articles
How to set up a Central American aquarium5 min read
Hard, alkaline water, sand and rock: an aquarium from the rivers and lakes of Mexico and Central America, with cichlids and livebearers.
How to set up a North American aquarium5 min read
Streams and ponds in North America are often cool. How to set up an aquarium without a heater, with pygmy sunfish, shiners and darters.
How to add new fish4 min read
From the store to the tank: how to get the fish used to your water, why you should add only a few at a time, and what to watch for in the first few days.
Quarantine for new fish3 min read
Why new fish should live in a tank of their own for a few weeks before they move in, what you need, and what to look for.