Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas)
| Fathead Minnow Pimephales promelas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Fathead Minnow |
| Name Lat. | Pimephales promelas |
| Family | Minnows |
| Family lat. | Leuciscidae |
| Order | Carps |
| Order lat. | Cypriniformes |
| Origin | North America |
| Habitat | Streams, rivers, lakes |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| pH | 6.5-7.5 |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Swarm |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Reproduction | Substrate spawner |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10 cm |
| Temperature | 4-20 °C |
| Hardness | 10-20 °dH |
| Aquarium | ~ 200 l or ponds |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4" |
| Temperature | 39-68 °F |
| Hardness | 178-356 ppm |
| Aquarium | ~ 50 gal or ponds |
Distribution and habitat
Fathead minnows are widespread in North America from Canada through the United States to northern Mexico. They are very undemanding and occur in a variety of habitats. They live in clear, cold spring creeks, small rivers and lakes but also in warm pools and ponds where they often stay in small shoals at the water surface.
Maintenance
The pond should be furnished with pond, floating and especially oxygenating underwater plants (milfoil, waterweed, hornwort, etc.), large river pebbles, and a substrate of sand and round-grained gravel, and provide plenty of free swimming space.
When maintaining in a cold water aquarium, make sure there is plenty of swimming space in addition to perimeter planting and plenty of hiding places (roots, rocks). A sandy substrate and oxygen-rich water with some current is ideal
No ammonia, ammonium and nitrite may be detectable in the water, the nitrate value may not exceed 100 mg/l. To ensure the water quality and oxygen content, a filter adapted to the water volume should not be missing.
Diet
They feed mainly on insects, small crustaceans and worms as well as approach food (mosquitoes) taken from the water surface. The food supply consists of live or frozen cyclops, daphnia, tubifex and mosquito larvae or a frozen food mixture. High quality pond food (granules, pellets, flakes) is also accepted without problems
Behaviour and compatibility
They are lively schooling fish that do not exhibit any aggressive or incompatible behavior outside of the spawning season. At least 5, but preferably more, fathead minnows should be kept together. They can be socialized well with other fish.
In principle, only mutually compatible fish species with similar requirements for water conditions and water temperature should be socialized.
Reproduction and breeding
The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The somewhat slimmer males have a thickened head, are more intensely colored at spawning time and develop a spawning rash on the head.
The fathead minnows are cavity breeders. They spawn under dead wood, larger rocks, or in small burrows. The male guards the larvae until they swim free.
Important
The fathead minnow is not a native species and therefore special care must be taken to prevent it from entering the wild (fauna adulteration!).
They are temperature tolerant and very suitable for small ponds
If they are overwintered in the pond, sufficient depth and oxygen supply (filter, oxygen dispenser, ice free holder) must be provided
At temperatures below 8-10 °C, the metabolism of the fish slows down and food is no longer accepted, feeding must be stopped accordingly. If the temperature drops further, they hibernate near the bottom. In spring, with rising temperatures, feeding can slowly be resumed. Feeding may also be necessary during prolonged warm periods in winter.
The well-being of the fish should be monitored regularly. A regular partial water change, according to the size of the pond is recommended, even if the pollution level has not yet reached the upper limit. Sudden changes in water quality should be avoided. Newly introduced fish must be accustomed slowly to the water in the pond or aquarium
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BMELV (1998): Tierschutzgutachten - Haltung von Zierfischen (Süßwasser); RIEHL & BAENSCH (2006): Aquarien Atlas Bd. 3, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische; Harri Deutsch Verlag
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF