Stick your toes into a small creek, and you will be tickled by Minnows. The delight of children and the young at heart, Minnows dart about there and here. Unperturbed by people, Minnows swim where they will. There is safety in groups, as Minnow teaches, but also remember, be unafraid to venture on your own.
Minnows in summer gather in schools of about a hundred individuals to feed near the surface. They also swim with other small fish. In winter, Minnows break up in to smaller groups to feed closer to the riverbed.
Being small, Minnows rely on their agility to avoid being eaten. They also rely on their knowledge to avoid open water where the larger fish live. To hide from predators, Minnows stay among plants near stream banks. During storms, they go under stones for protection. Minnow teach that being small is no handicap.
Many small Fish, regardless of species, are called "Minnows". However, proper Minnows (Cyprinidae) have particular characteristics such as a scale-less head and toothless jaws. Carp and Goldfish are relatives of the Minnow Sub-Family family.
Photo of Minnows courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Va. Carper
August 10, 2003