Species profile
Fathead Minnow
Pimephales promelas
Identify Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 3 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 5 (Texas); the most generous is 35 (New Jersey).
Confirmed by 3,290 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Ontario, South Dakota, and Alberta the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- It is one of the most widely used laboratory fish for standardized aquatic toxicity testing.
- Breeding males develop a fleshy, spongy head pad used to tend and guard egg clusters.
- It tolerates very low dissolved oxygen and high water temperatures lethal to many other species.
- Adults rarely exceed 3 inches (7.5 cm) in length.
- Native to central North America, it is widely sold as bait and raised in aquaculture.
Where Fathead Minnow are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Fathead Minnow
Background
Fathead minnow, 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…
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Fathead Minnow article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Fathead Minnow?
Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Fathead Minnow?
Fathead Minnow is Pimephales promelas.
Is Fathead Minnow regulated for fishing?
Yes — Fathead Minnow has fishing regulations in 3 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Fathead Minnow?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Fathead Minnow along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.