| Minnow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Fathead minnow | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Cypriniformes |
| Superfamily: | Cyprinoidea |
| Included species | |
Seetext | |
Minnow is the common name for a number ofspecies of small freshwater fish, belonging to severalgenera of the familyCyprinidae and in particular the subfamilyLeuciscinae. They are also known in Ireland aspinkeens.[1]
While the common name can refer to a range of taxa, smaller fish in the subfamilyLeusciscinae are considered byanglers to be "true" minnows.[2]
Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus): The bluntnose minnow is a primary bait fish for Northern America, and has a very high tolerance for variable water qualities, which helps its distribution throughout many regions.[3] The snout of the bluntnose minnow overhangs the mouth, giving it the bluntnose. There is a dark lateral line which stretches from the opercle to the base of the tail, where a large black spot is located. The average size of the adult is approximately 5 cm (2.0 in).[4]
Common shiner (Notropis cornutus): These fish are one of the most common type of bait fish and are almost exclusively stream dwellers. The common shiner can be identified by the nine rays on its anal fin and terminal mouth. This minnow is typically bluish silver on the sides and greenish blue on the back, save for breeding season in which case the male gains a rose colored tail and anal fin. The shiner grows about 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) within one year and reach a size of 13 cm (5.1 in) at adulthood.[5]Notropis potteri is known as thechub shiner.
Common emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides atherinoides): Common emerald shiners are most abundant in theGreat Lakes of North America, primarily Lake Erie. The name of the emerald shiner comes from the greenish emerald band that expands from the back of the gill cover to the tail. This type of minnow has a short, rounded snout, the only difference between the common emerald shiner and the silver shiner is that the silver shiner has a longer snout and a larger eye. These fish grow to an average length of about 6 cm. This is one of the most common bait fish used in the Lake Erie region of Ohio and many fishermen hold it over all other bait.[6]
Other fish specifically called minnows include
While primarily used forbait, minnows can also be eaten directly by humans. Some Native American cultures have used minnows as food.[8] If minnows are small enough, they can be eaten whole.[9]
Generally, minnows breed with the slightest rainfall and within a wide temperature range. Contrary to the long-standing presumptions, climate change poses 'negligible' threat to minnows' reproduction. Minnows are also flexible in attaining pre-spawning fitness, which makes them avoid 'skipped spawning' decisions while facing climatic variabilities.[10]
The dictionary definition ofminnow at Wiktionary| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
