About Minnows

The general term minnow describes the small silver fish found in cold and warm freshwater around the world. This fish family contains numerous species located in different parts of the world. Their variety and vast numbers are attributed to their ability to adapt to different environments. Other factors for the variety of minnows include their short gestation period and the production of large amounts of babies. Small minnows live only three or four years, and large ones live for seven to ten years. Minnows range from goldfish that people keep as pets to small ones that people use for fish bait.

  1. Fathead Minnows

    • Fathead minnows thrive in low-oxygen water--muddy ponds and streams--in North America. They live in diverse places like the Canadian Rockies, Texas, Virginia and the northeastern United States. These fish are commonly sold as feeder fish because aquarium owners use them to feed pet sharks and turtles.

    Golden Shiners

    • Golden shiners, members of the minnow family, live throughout the United States, southern Canada and Mexico. Spawning golden shiners produce between 10,000 to 20,000 eggs. These types of minnow are primarily used as bait fish for large-mouth bass fishermen and as a food source for fish living in backyard ponds and lakes.

    Goldfish

    • Goldfish are larger fish in the minnow family. At one time, they lived in the wild--in the fresh waters of China and other Asian countries. They have been domesticated and used as pets in home aquariums or as ornamental fish in freshwater ponds. Although they are referred to as goldfish, these minnows come in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes.

    Chubs

    • Chubs are larger and hardier than many of the members of the minnow family. In North America, chubs are ornamental fish. In Asia and Europe, they are used as fish food. Unlike many other types of minnows, chubs are prepared as culinary dishes.

    Carp

    • Carp may be the most versatile of all minnows. While most of the other types of minnows are used a pets, bait and fish food, carp are the only one people regularly fish for sport.