Minnows are a general term for small fish, and many different species are called minnows. Some minnows stay small their whole lives, while others can grow to be quite large.
For example:
* Fathead minnows are commonly used as bait fish and rarely grow over 4 inches.
* Golden shiners, another common bait fish, can reach up to 12 inches in length.
* Carp, which are often considered minnows, can grow to be over 4 feet long and weigh over 80 pounds!
So, the answer is sometimes. Some minnows grow to be big fish, while others stay small. It really depends on the specific species of minnow.