Fun Central Mudminnow Facts For Kids

Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) is a small freshwater fish, native to North America. These fishes are mostly found in rivers, ponds, and other freshwater sources. It is the most studied among the five species within its group.

Comprehensive information about its foods preference, conservation status is documented. The characteristic that stands out in its study is its hardy behavior. These fishes are known to adapt well to tricky situations.

It can survive in low oxygen concentration areas, under frozen water bodies, and in areas with dense aquatic vegetation. Its facultative air-breathing techniques have been noted to aid in its journey. Central mudminnows are generalist, opportunistic feeders with flexible foraging strategies.

Read on to know more about the Umbra limi and its physical appearance, range of habitats, and other social and biological characteristics.

Did you enjoy reading about the aquatic life of the central mudminnows, then do give the following articles a try: mutton snapper and jackknife fish!

Central Mudminnow Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a central mudminnow?

Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) is a North American fish found in freshwater sources.

What class of animal does the central mudminnow belong to?

Mudminnows belong to the class Actinopterygii. Sometimes, fish of this class are referred to as ray-finned fish.

How many central mudminnows are there in the world?

Assessment early in the last decade shows a relatively stable population trend. While an exact estimate of this fish population is unavailable, it is deemed to be relatively stable.

Where do central mudminnow live?

At present, mudminnows are native to North America, found both in Canada and United States. This species covers the geographical range including the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, Red, and Mississippi River basins. Other states which house its habitat are Oklahoma, Texas, South Dakota, Montana, and Iowa. In fact, they have been introduced to Connecticut, Maine, and Massachusetts.

What is a central mudminnow's habitat?

These fishes prefer wetlands and freshwater habitats. The central mudminnow family is a hardy species and can survive in even less than ideal water conditions. It can survive with low oxygen levels, excess vegetation, or an organic substrate.

By implementing facultative air-breathing or using aerial breathing for necessary requirements, these fish can survive in these conditions. They prefer stagnant or slow-moving water.

As bottom-dwelling fish, it usually is found in the stream bed or the lake bottom. It is known to be quite adaptable, in that it automatically migrates towards flooded regions to avoid high tides. Surprisingly, they can survive the winter season by being active even if the water body is covered in ice sheath.

Who do central mudminnows live with?

(Umbra limi) Central mudminnow tends to form groups together with up to 12 members. The reason for it has been termed as either gaining foraging advantage or protection from the predator.

How long does a central mudminnow live?

On average, these fishes live through a length of seven to nine years in the wild.

How do they reproduce?

Central mudminnows' spawning period starts in the spring, as this time starts to warm the water temperatures. In the case of flooded terrain during spring, spawning occurs in the margins. The female attaches the eggs to vegetation as the eggs are sticky in nature.

As an oviparous species, the young then develop outside the female body. In fact, once the eggs hatch, they continue to grow all their life. Some protection is provided by the mother before the eggs hatch.

What is their conservation status?

As assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or the IUCN Red List, this fish species has been deemed as Least Concern. The population seems to be stable and there are plenty of specimens of this species available across  Northern America.

While there are local threats present, no global or looming threat has been recorded that might be detrimental to the population. Thus, no particular conservation strategies have been set up.

Central Mudminnow Fun Facts

What does the central mudminnow look like?

*Please note this is an image of European Mudminnow, a fish of the same family. If you have an image of a Rottweiler Lab please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.

These slender fish have a length of 1.97-4.53 in (5-11.5 cm). Central mudminnows have a green-brown-colored body with vertical stripes along the surface. These are circular and large patterns. It has a stubby snout and a terminal mouth.

The dorsal fin is set towards the latter half. Mild sexual dimorphism is observed. Males develop fish with a dark green hue during the spawning period. They also have a larger anal fin. Fry does not attain coloration until half a month after they hatch.

How cute are they?

To some, these tiny freshwater fishes might seem cute attributable to their small size and colors.

How do they communicate?

These fishes employ visual, tactile, chemical communication channels heavily. Virtual cues are especially used to assess the shoal size. Being a part of a shoal allows them some level of protection from predators. Research in a laboratory setting would further confirm the exact use of this range of channels.

How big is the central mudminnow?

These fishes are small freshwater specimens and have attained a length between 1.97-4.53 in  (5-11.5 cm). To find a relative estimate, you compare it to cod, a common northern species. The mudminnow would be three times smaller than a cod.

How fast can a central mudminnow swim?

They have a diodontiform swimming pattern, which indicates that they swim using median or pectoral fin. While their swimming speed is not known, it is known that they prefer relatively stable water currents.

How much does a central mudminnow weigh?

Central mudminnow is a small fish with nondescript weight and can weigh just a couple of ounces. The highest length attained by these fishes is just 4 in (10.2 cm).

What are the male and female names of the species?

There is no distinct nomenclature for the male and female of the species.

What would you call a baby central mudminnow?

A baby central mudminnow might be called a fry, once they hatch.

What do they eat?

Central mudminnows primarily have a carnivorous diet. This includes amphipods, crustaceans, larvae, crane flies, worms, and fish eggs. To survive, they rely on aquatic vegetation such as algae and phytoplankton. The young fishes usually eat copepods, ostracods, or newly hatched snails.

Observations have shown that these fishes eat foods head-on, however lower water temperature tends to change this habit a little. This would happen around springtime.

Are they dangerous?

No, mudminnows are not known to be dangerous or as posing a threat to the ecology. Some European countries have deemed them as invasive species.

Would they make a good pet?

Central mudminnow aquarium care is very easy. This species is known for its hardiness and can even be managed as a novice.

Did you know...

It is very easy to confuse central mudminnows with branded killifish. To identify, you may look at its mouth as central mudminnows have a terminal mouth, characterized by equal upper and lower jaw length.

Central mudminnows have been listed as Endangered in the state of Missouri, because of depleting mashy lands.

Are central mudminnows edible?

While eating central mudminnow is not harmful to health, they are not known to suit our palate. Rather, these fish are used as minnow baits.

Catching and buying mudminnows

To buy central mudminnow for bait is a common practice. Due to their hardy behavior, they are a common choice. Catching practices include the use of nets.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these rainwater killifish facts and warty frogfish facts.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our free printable central Mudminnow coloring pages.