FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The cutlip minnow belongs to the Cyprinidea family of freshwater fish (minnow). It can grow to be around 6.3 in (16 cm) long. It is a medium-sized minnow. Its robust body, silvery sides with a greenish-purple sheen, and tri-lobed lower mouth set it apart from all other fish species. It may be differentiated from other minnow species in Canada, North America by its trilobed lower mouth. This species is seen near the northern end of its distribution in Ontario, where it is found in the lower Ottawa and St. Lawrence River drainage regions. Because there has been little study on the cutlip minnow, it is impossible to say whether the species is in decline. Recent studies show that the cutlip minnow has vanished from certain historic locations, but new, low-abundance populations have been discovered in the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries, suggesting that the species' condition is stable. After you have read through this information on Exoglossum maxillingua, do check out our articles on white cloud mountain minnow and longhorn cowfish.
The cutlip minnow (exoglossum maxillingua) is a type of fish.
The cutlip minnow (exoglossum maxillingua) belongs to the fish animal class.
Exoglossum maxillingua species has a significant number of recorded occurrences. The total adult population is unknown, although it appears to be fairly substantial. This species is widespread. The trend during the last ten years or three generations is unknown, although it is likely to be rather constant. It appears to be decreasing in Ontario, Canada due to environmental degradation.
The cutlip minnow is widely found in northern North America in Atlantic coastal drainages. However, there is evidence of falling populations in certain river systems. It has been documented in the St. Lawrence River drainage in Canada. Its range is restricted to eastern Ontario, where it may now be found in three locations. There are seven streams where it has been gathered in history, as well as the St. Lawrence River drainage. It is more common in Québec, where it has been discovered in a number of rivers from 1935 until the present.
The cutlip minnow (exoglossum maxillingua) is typically found in the clear or tea-colored rivers with a width of 39-788 in (1-20 m) and solid rocky substrates that are commonly combined with gravel, sand, and mud. In history, it has also been discovered on hard clay and shale bottoms in Québec. Aquatic vegetation is common, and the river current is weak. In June and July, it was discovered in water temperatures as high as 78.8 F(26 C). It has been discovered in the St. Lawrence River, usually at the bottom of fast-flowing rivers. The cutlip minnow is also reported from streams in the Laurentians of Québec.
Cutlip minnows (exoglossum maxillingua) are known to live in packs.
These fishes are known to have a life of two to four years.
Male minnows start mating by locating and preparing a nesting location for reproduction. This usually happens between May and September. Mature male minnows prefer to build their nests on the undersides of horizontal surfaces like rocks, wood, or plants. A male minnow conducts a variety of mating activities in order to attract female minnows to his nest. When approaching adult female minnows, the male will swim back and forth in the nest region, establish close contact with passing females, and vibrate his body. Fertilized eggs are then laid in a single layer on the ceiling of the nest location. Male minnows are solely responsible for the care of the eggs. They use their dorsal pad to clean the eggs and fan the nest eggs to ensure the unborn minnows get enough oxygen. The eggs hatch after roughly a week.
This species' range extends from St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario south into Virginia and is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Though it is categorized as threatened in the Canadian province of Ontario, but it may never have been widespread there because it is located in the far north of its range.
The cutlips minnow (exoglossum maxillingua) is a large-bodied minnow that may grow to be approximately 6 in (15.2 cm) long. Its lower mouth is trilobed, with a central bony tongue-like lobe, two lateral fleshy lobes, and no maxillary barbels, which distinguishes it from all other minnows of North American. The back of an adult cutlips minnow is olive-gray to olive-green, with silvery sides with a greenish-purple gloss, and a white belly. Aside from the reproductive season, no noticeable outward distinctions exist between the sexes. Mature males grow tubercles on their paired fins during the reproductive season. Juveniles have a midline stripe and a distinctive mark at the base of the caudal fin.
*Please note that this is an image of a fathead minnow, not a cutlip minnow. If you have an image of a cutlip minnow, please let us know at [email protected].
Exoglossum maxillingua, the cutlip minnow, is a tiny and highly adorable, and colorful fish. If you already have fishes in an aquarium or are thinking about obtaining fish as pets for the first time, the cutlips minnow is a great addition.
The majority of communication is done through the use of signals. This is particularly common during the breeding season. They also use vibrations of the mouth to communicate with one another.
Cutlip minnows are rather small fishes that will fit in the palm of your hand.
Cutlip minnows swim at a reasonable speed for a pet fish. They are calm and are found near the bottom. If they exhibit any symptoms of trouble moving, it indicates that they are out of shape.
The exact weight of the cutlips minnows is unknown, but guessing from its small size you can say that they might weigh a few grams.
A female cutlips minnow does not have a special name; both male and female fishes are simply referred to as fish.
There is no special name for the baby cutlips minnows as of now.
The cutlips minnow is a specialist bottom feeder, although it may switch to other food sources if its main food source is unavailable. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates such as trichopteran larvae, oligochaetes, plecopterans, chironomids, and mollusks.
The cutlips minnow is not dangerous to humans.
No as they are endangered they are illegal to have as pets.
Male cutlips minnows construct nests in order to attract a partner. The male excavates a depression at the river bottom and removes any sand or mud. He then transports carefully chosen pebbles to line the nest. When a female lays eggs in the nest, the male covers them with the gravel he has collected.
The cutlips minnow is known to attack and devour the eyes of other fish, earning it the moniker eye-picker.
Fathead minnows spawn every four to five days but can spawn as frequently as every two days. Females typically lay 100–200 eggs every spawn, with bigger females laying 200–400 eggs.
The biggest minnow in the world is the giant barb (Catlocarpio siamensis), which can grow to be up to 10 ft (3 m) long and weigh over 140 lb (63.5 kg). It is found in Southeast Asia and is occasionally maintained in ponds for food.
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 pumpkinseed sunfish facts and common dolphin fact for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable cutlips minnow coloring pages.
*Please note that the main image is of a minnow, not a cutlip minnow. If you have an image of a cutlip minnow, please let us know at [email protected].
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.