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Minnow

life science Maturity 5-7 Next article →

Minnows are names for many small fish that live in fresh water. Most of these fish belong to a large family called Cyprinidae. Some people in Ireland call them pinkeens. Anglers often use the term "true" minnows for smaller fish in the subfamily Leuciscinae. These little fish are very important in many parts of the world. They serve as a primary food source for many other animals.

Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas
Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas

Many different types of minnows have unique ways of looking and living. The bluntnose minnow has a snout that hangs over its mouth. It has a dark line on its side and a black spot near its tail. The common shiner lives in streams and has a bluish silver body. During breeding season, the males grow a rose colored tail. The common emerald shiner has a green band on its body. These fish are very common in the Great Lakes of North America.

Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas
Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas

Humans have interacted with minnows for a very long time. Many people use them as bait when they go fishing. Some Native American cultures have used minnows as a food source. If the fish are small enough, people can eat them whole. There are even large places like Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas, that raise them. This is known as the world's largest minnow farm.

Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas
Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas

Minnows are very good at surviving in different environments. They can breed with even the slightest amount of rainfall. They can also live in a wide range of water temperatures. This flexibility helps them stay healthy even when the weather changes. Scientists say that climate change poses a negligible threat to how they breed. They are very good at staying fit for spawning. This helps them avoid skipping a chance to have babies.

Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas
Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas

Minnows can be found in many different places around the globe. Some live in the Great Lakes near Lake Erie in Ohio. Others live in the Congo Democratic Republic or in Lesotho. You can even find them in the Falkland Islands. Some special minnows live in the deep sea. These are called bristlemouth fish and they use light to glow in the dark. It is amazing how many different types of these small fish exist.

Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas
Anderson Farms in Lonoke, Arkansas
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