The Fathead Minnow is a freshwater fish that can be found throughout most of North America. In the wild, the Fathead Minnow is a dull olive-grey with a stripe along its back and side.
Fathead Minnows prefer a temperature of 50° to 70° F and a pH range of 7.0 to 7.5. They are omnivore filter feeders, often sifting through dirt and silt to find food. The carnivorous portion of their diet is comprised mainly of insects, crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates as well as zooplankton. The herbivorous part of their diet consists primarily of algae and phytoplankton. They will also feed on bottom dentritus.
The main spawning season of the Fathead Minnow is from June through July, and they are in good spawning condition from mid-May to early August. Because the Fathead Minnow is fairly tolerant of harsh conditions, it can be found in bodies of water that may be uninhabitable to other fish, such as waste drainage sites. The Fathead Minnow has become very popular as a baitfish and can be used in aquariums as pets. If you are stocking your pond with Bass or Bluegill, Fathead Minnows are a wonderful simultaneous addition for adding forage to your pond.