During breeding season the males use at least two methods of communication. First, their physical appearance changes (as described in the reproductive section). Second, males make a variety of pulsed sounds when acting aggresively with other males. It is not known if these sounds are also used in courtship or spawning.
Bluntnose minnows probably release chemicals called pheromones when they are alarmed.
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
This is a very common fish. In fact, bluntnose minnows are probably the most abundant freshwater fish in the eastern United States. (Page and Burr, 1991)
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
This fish is commonly used for bait in the fishing industry.
Bluntnose minnows serve an important role as prey for larger animals and as a predator on insect larvae.
Bluntnose minnows eat algae, aquatic insect larvae, diatoms, and small crustaceans called entomostracans. Occasionally they will eat fish eggs or small fish. (State of Iowa DNR, 2001)
Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats eggs, Eats non-insect arthropods); omnivore
The bluntnose minnow is widely distributed in small and medium-sized streams in North America. They occur from southern Quebec and Manitoba south to Louisiana, west to the Mississipi River drainage (but not the Mississippi River itself).(Froese and Pauly, 2002; State of Iowa DNR, 2001)
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Bluntnose minnows prefer clear, rocky streams and creeks that are small to medium in size. They also occur in natural and man-made lakes.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; freshwater
Aquatic Biomes: lakes and ponds; rivers and streams
The maximimum recorded age for a bluntnose minnow is five years. It is unclear whether this was a captive or wild individual. (Froese and Pauly, 2002)
Range lifespan
Status: captivity: 5.0 (high) years.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 2.0 (high) years.
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 5 years.
This is a very small silver fish, long and slender with a dark stripe from snout to tail. At the base of the tail the stripe becomes a dot. Upperparts are slightly olive while sides are bluish. The name "bluntnose" refers to the rather flat snout. During the breeding season, males become darker, with a silver bar behind the gill cover (opercle), and grow 16 bumps in three rows on their head. (Page and Burr 1991; State of Iowa DNR, 2001)
Range length: 11.0 (high) cm.
Other Physical Features: bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: male more colorful
This small fish is prey to many larger fish as well as many birds and reptiles. To avoid them, minnows move fast, travel in schools, and hide.
A close relative, the fathead minnow (Pimephales notatus) gives off a chemical called "alarm substance" when under attack. Scientists think the substance may be a distress signal that attracts other predatory fish who interrupt the first predator, allowing the minnow to escape (Chivers et al., 1996)
The list below is only a sample of the species that eat minnows.
Known Predators:
During the spawning season, males' heads grow darker and their bodies become bluish. They also develop three rows of bumps, or tubercles on their heads. Females release masses of eggs which stick to the underside of rocks or floating logs. They are therefore sheltered while spawning. Depending on the temperature of the waters, eggs may hatch into fry in 8 to 14 days. (State of Iowa DNR, 2002; USGS, 1982)
Breeding season: April through September, but usually May through July
Range gestation period: 14.0 (high) days.
Key Reproductive Features: fertilization (External ); oviparous
Males stay and guard the eggs and the fry. (USGS, 1982)
Parental Investment: male parental care
The bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) is a species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the genus Pimephales of the cyprinid family. Its natural geographic range extends from the Great Lakes south along the Mississippi River basin to Louisiana, and east across the Midwestern United States to New York State. The bluntnose is very ubiquitous, and may be the most common freshwater fish in the Eastern U.S.[2]
Bluntnose minnows are commonly 6.5 cm (2.6 in) long, with a maximum length of 11 cm (4.3 in). On the first two or three dorsal rays are dark pigmented spots. The scales between the head and the dorsal fin are noted to be smaller than the rest of the scales on the body.[3] They have a rounded head and a terminal mouth, although the snout hangs a little bit over the mouth. The dark coloring on the edges of the scales cause a cross-hatched look along the body. The scales on these fish are cycloid scales, a type of leptoid scale. It is possible to find the age of a fish from the rings on the scales. The lateral line of a bluntnose minnow runs from its head to tail, ending in a black spot that makes them distinguishable from the fathead minnow.[4] These minnows have a pale olive upper body (above the lateral line) and a silvery lower body (below the lateral line), with silvery-blue scales near the lateral line.[5]
The bluntnose minnow can be found in North America, in the Hudson Bay and Mississippi River basins from southern Quebec to southern Manitoba, Canada to Louisiana, United States. They are also found from the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec to the Roanoke River on the east coast of United States.[6] There are also many non-indigenous populations found in Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Michigan, thought to have been introduced by bait bucket release or stock contamination.[7] Bluntnose minnows are thought to be the most abundant freshwater fish in the eastern part of the country.[8]
Bluntnose minnows can be found in lakes, rivers, ponds and streams, showing a preference for shallow, clear water with a sandy bottom.[4] Their habitats range from headwater bogs, swamps, and springs to rivers, ponds, and lakes. Sometimes, up to a dozen species of minnows can be found in a single stream of moderate size. They can be found swimming in large groups or alone.[9]
These fish prefer to feed on aquatic insects, algae, diatoms, aquatic insect larvae, and small crustaceans called entomostracans. Occasionally they will eat fish eggs or small fish.[8]
Bluntnose minnows spawn from early spring to midsummer, depending on their habitat. They attach their eggs under stones in depressions they have dug.[9] During the mating season, the heads of the males will become darker and their bodies bluish. They also develop three rows of tubercles (bumps) on their heads. Eggs hatch in eight to fourteen days.[8]
The genus name Pimephales means fat head, the specific epithet notatus means marked or spotted.[3]
The bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) is a species of temperate freshwater fish belonging to the genus Pimephales of the cyprinid family. Its natural geographic range extends from the Great Lakes south along the Mississippi River basin to Louisiana, and east across the Midwestern United States to New York State. The bluntnose is very ubiquitous, and may be the most common freshwater fish in the Eastern U.S.
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