Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) fish species and information / pictures of Fathead minnow - Pimephales promelas

Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) fish species information

Scientific Name
Pimephales promelas

Common Name
Fathead minnow

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7. The only species of genus introduced to Europe which differs from other cyprinid species in Europe by the following characters: prominent pad of spongy tissue on nape in males; dorsal fin origin about above pelvic fin origin; anal fin with 7? branched rays; second simple dorsal ray spinous, about 50% length of the third one; lateral line incomplete, usually not reaching dorsal origin; weak midlateral stripe; 41-54 + 2 scales in midlateral row; and mouth terminal (Ref. 59043).

Classification

Classified By

Rafinesque, 1820

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: Over much of North America from Quebec to Northwest Territories, Canada and south to Alabama, Texas and New Mexico, USA. Also in Mexico. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.

Range

61°N - 29°N

Environment

Climate

Subtropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

33 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal

Trophic Level

2.11 s.e. 0.12 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

10.1 cm

Common Length

7.3 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5625 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: ; aquarium: commercial; bait: usually

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (27 of 100)

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (tmax=2)

Threat To Humans

Potential pest

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated