Fathead Minnow

Pimephales promelas

General Status Rank: 
Undetermined
ELCODE: 
AFCJB32020
Common Name: 
Fathead Minnow
Scientific Name: 
Pimephales promelas
Naming References: 
Taxonomy
Group: 
Fish
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Chordata
Class: 
Actinopterygii
Order: 
Cypriniformes
Family: 
Cyprinidae
References: 
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

2 months to 1 years
References: 

Longevity

max 3 years
References: 

Economic/Human Considerations

valuable foraging fish
References: 
Habitat
adults = variable, but generally prefers still waters over flowing waters spawning = underside of an object in shallow water; Fathead Minnow exhibits lacustrine and riverine life history types. In southern areas, spawning occurs from April to mid-August. The male constructs a nest under rocks, logs, branches, boards, or occasionally lily pads in 0.61─0.91 m of water. The female deposits adhesive eggs on the undersurface of the nest. The male fertilizes the eggs and defends the nest. Incubation generally lasts from 4.5─6 days and is dependent on water temperature. The young are often found in shallow water over sand and mud substrates in protected areas such as marshes, harbours, and creek mouths. Adults are typically more active at night, while juveniles are more active during the day (Richardson et al. 2001; Evans et al. 2002). Fathead Minnows are tolerant of high water temperatures, low dissolved oxygen, and turbidity (Evans et al. 2002).
References: 
Distribution

Ecozones

Taiga Shield, Boreal Plains
References: 

Distribution

0.018
Score: 
E
References: 

Number of Occurrences

6; Holes Lake and Little Buffalo River
References: 

Area of Occupancy

Score: 
-
Population

Population Size

More than 10 000
References: 
Threats

Threats

Score: 
C

Intrinsic Vulnerability

Score: 
-
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Undetermined
Status Rank Description: 
Extreme northern limit in NWT
S Rank: 
SU
Decision Process Description: 
Drafted by the Arctic Stock Assessment DFO Committee - Freshwater Fishes - Chris Day, Dr. Ross Tallman, Dr. Sue Cosens with review by S. Carriere in 2000; Reviewed by L Cooper, G Low, Dr Reist in 2005, no change; Reviewed by DFO in 2010,no change; Reviewed by DFO in 2015, no change
Last Updated: 
January 28, 2015

References

Age Of Maturity

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return

Economic Status

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return

Ecozones

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return
  • Sawatzky, C.D., Michalak, D. Reist, J.D. Carmichael, T.J., Mandrak, N.E., Heuring, L.G. (2007) Distributions of freshwater and anadromous fishes from the mainland Northwest Territories, Canada.. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2793 - B172 Return

Habitat

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return
  • Sawatzky, C.D., Michalak, D. Reist, J.D. Carmichael, T.J., Mandrak, N.E., Heuring, L.G. (2007) Distributions of freshwater and anadromous fishes from the mainland Northwest Territories, Canada.. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2793 - B172 Return

Longevity

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return

Naming

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return
  • McPhail JD, and Lindsey CC (1970) Freshwater Fishes of Northwestern Canada and Alaska. Queen's Printer for Canada Fisheries Research Board of Canada Bulletin No. 173 RWED Library Call QL 626.M3 - B059 Return

Number of Occurrences

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return
  • Sawatzky, C.D., Michalak, D. Reist, J.D. Carmichael, T.J., Mandrak, N.E., Heuring, L.G. (2007) Distributions of freshwater and anadromous fishes from the mainland Northwest Territories, Canada.. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2793 - B172 Return

Population Size

Arctic Stock Assessment DFO Committee - Freshwater Fishes - Chris Day, Dr. Ross Tallman, Dr. Sue Cosens (2000) Pers. communication. Arctic Stock Assessment Section, DFO Science Directorate, Freshwater Institute, 501 University Cres., R3T 2N6 , 204 983 5158 - H133 Return

Range Extent

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return
  • Sawatzky, C.D., Michalak, D. Reist, J.D. Carmichael, T.J., Mandrak, N.E., Heuring, L.G. (2007) Distributions of freshwater and anadromous fishes from the mainland Northwest Territories, Canada.. Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2793 - B172 Return

Taxonomy

  • Scott WB and Crossman EJ (1979) Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bryant Press Ltd RWED Library Call #QL626.S3 - B011 Return