fathead minnow

Pimephales promelas

Ten Point One Centimeters Carp of the Atlantic Ocean

Black
Tropical
Northern Hemisphere
Regional distribution
Freshwater fish
Atlantic Ocean
Central America and the Caribbean
North America
Fusiform
Small
Tropical fish

Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), also known as fathead or tuffy, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, the shiners, daces and minnows. The natural geographic range extends throughout much of North America, from central Canada south along the Rockies to Texas, and east to Virginia and the Northeastern United States. This minnow has also been introduced to many other areas via bait bucket releases.

Class: Teleosts
Order: Minnows, Carps, and Loaches
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Pimephales
Maximum length: 10.1 cm
Water: Freshwater
Body shape: fusiform
Distribution: North and Central America: Over much of North America from Quebec to Northwest Territories and British Columbia in Canada and south to Alabama, Texas in USA, and Mexico. Widely introduced, including in Colorado River drainage in Arizona and New Mexico, USA. Not present on Atlantic and Gulf slopes between Potomac River in Virginia and Trinity River in Texas. Several countries report adverse ecological impact after introduction.
Conservation status: LCLeast Concern

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