Small silver fish with a blunt snout and a dark stripe along the side.

Bluntnose minnow

Pimephales notatus
Where at Shedd?
At Home on the Great Lakes
Diet Algae and insects
Size Length: Up to 4.3 inches (11 cm); common length 2.6 inches (6.5 cm)
Type Fishes
Range North America
Habitat Streams and lakes of the Great Lakes region and Mississippi River basin

Did you know?

  1. They’re little, but they’re all over the place. Bluntnose minnows are one of the most widespread fishes in the Great Lakes basin.
  2. A bluntnose minnow male grows 16 bumps in three rows on its head—to impress the females during breeding season.
  3. Little fishes like this are easy prey for hungry fishes and birds, so they swim in schools with other fishes to stay safe.

IUCN Red List Conservation Status