fish · Leuciscidae
Fathead minnow
Pimephales promelas
Wild range: Much of North America from central Canada (Great Slave Lake drainage, Maritime Provinces) south through the Rockies to Texas and Mexico (Chihuahua), and east to Virginia and the northeastern United States; widely introduced via bait-bucket releases including Atlantic and Pacific drainages (North America)
At a glance: Fathead minnow care
Compiled reference information. Review the care notes and original sources below.
What temperature is listed for Fathead minnow?
The compiled profile lists 10.0–22.0 °C for Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas). Check the original sources below for context and differing recommendations.
What tank size is listed for Fathead minnow?
The profile lists a minimum tank volume of 20.0 US gallons (76.0 liters). Volume alone does not establish suitability; consider dimensions, group size and other inhabitants alongside the full care notes.
What pH is listed for Fathead minnow?
The compiled profile lists a pH of 6.5–8.0. Review the cited care sources alongside the other water parameters in this profile.
Natural habitat
Muddy pools of headwaters, creeks, small rivers, ponds, and lakes; notable tolerance of turbid, warm, poorly oxygenated, and intermittent waters that exclude many other fishes (FishBase, Wikipedia).
Where they are found
Catalog primary name Pimephales promelas Rafinesque, 1820 per ITIS (TSN 163517), FishBase, and US pet-trade "fathead minnow". ITIS places the genus in family Leuciscidae (older aquarium literature often Cyprinidae — noted only). Rosy red / rosy-red minnow (also tuffy, Rosies) is a xanthic/golden aquarium color morph of the same species discovered on Arkansas fish farms ~1985 — not a separate taxon; cover under aliases. ITIS synonyms include Hyborhynchus confertus, Pimephales fasciatus, P. maculosus, Hyborhynchus puniceus, Plargyrus melanocephalus, P. milesii, P. agassizii, Coliscus parietalis, Hyborhynchus nigellus, Cliola smithii, P. anuli, and subspecies P. p. harveyensis (invalid). IUCN Least Concern (NatureServe/Daniels 2019; FishBase cites 2018 assessment). Widely introduced as bait/feeder; can spread disease (e.g. enteric redmouth historically linked to European introductions) — never release outdoors. UK keeping of rosy reds regulated under ILFA for ponds/trade (PFK).
Aquarium care
Hardy North American leuciscid sold both as ornamental coldwater fish and (especially the rosy-red morph) as cheap feeder stock. Plan at least a 20 US gallon (~76 L) tank for a school of 6+ with swimming length (Practical Fishkeeping recommends ~100 L / 90 cm; Aquarium Source and FishLore cite 10 gal for a small group — locked 20 for a proper school). Prefer cool, gently filtered water about 10–22°C with pH 6.5–8.0 and moderate hardness (PFK, Aquarium Source, FishLore, Wikipedia aquarium guidance); unheated room-temperature and outdoor ponds suit them well. Provide caves, overturned pots, or rock overhangs for nesting males. Secure lid — active jumpers. Quarantine feeder-tank purchases: overcrowded store stock is frequently parasite- and fungus-laden (Aquarium Tidings, FishLore, Aquarium Source). Never release into natural waters.
Feeding
Omnivore: quality flakes or goldfish/coldwater pellets as staple plus frozen/live bloodworms, brine shrimp, daphnia, insect larvae, and occasional blanched greens (Practical Fishkeeping, Aquarium Source, FishLore, FishBase wild diet of detritus and algae). Feed what they finish in a few minutes; avoid overfeeding in small tanks.
Compatibility
Peaceful schooling community fish with other coolwater, similarly sized species (white clouds, danios, dojo/hillstream loaches, bristlenose in cooler setups). Avoid large predators that treat them as feeders, and avoid long-term tropical temperatures well above ~22–24°C (chronic heat stresses them). PFK advises against mixing with goldfish in many setups; Aquarium Source lists goldfish/koi as pond companions — use judgment on size and water quality. Males defend nest sites during breeding. Always quarantine feeder-origin stock before adding to an established tank.
Breeding
Easy egg-layer with paternal care. Mature males develop a spongy dark nape pad ("fathead") and breeding tubercles on the snout; they claim a cave or underside of a rock/leaf, clean it with the nape pad, and entice females to deposit adhesive eggs. Males fan and guard eggs (~5 days to hatch depending on temperature); fractional spawning can continue while water stays warm enough (Wikipedia; Aquarium Tidings; FishLore). Remove adults after free-swimming or raise fry on infusoria then baby brine shrimp. Breeding often starts near ~18°C.
Sources
Compiled from multiple independent care sheets — not copied from a single site.