Fun Silvery Minnow Facts For Kids
Gallery
Silvery minnow is the name given to the group of ray-finned fishes of the genus Hybognathus. There are seven known species of silvery minnow found in North America.
They include the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), western silvery minnow (Hybognathus argyritis), eastern silvery minnow (Hybognathus regius), **** minnow (Hybognathus hankinsoni), cypress minnow (Hybognathus hayi), Mississippi silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis), and plains minnow (Hybognathus placitus).
The silvery minnow, Rio Grande silvery minnow, is one of the most endangered fish species of North America, as mentioned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
These minnows are found in less than 5% of the natural habitat in the Rio Grande in Albuquerque as found by the USFWS. The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) also started a silvery minnow egg salvage plot project in 2000 to try and restore the population of this species. Historically abundant in many places, the Rio Grande silvery minnow is now only seen in the Cochiti Dam and the Elephant **** Reservoir.
Abundance changes from season to season. The Rio Grande silvery minnow was earlier found near irritation diversion dams with low flow.
Silvery minnow fishes are known to spawn in June during the high spring flow due to reservoir release and snow runoff. The western silvery minnow is found in freshwater habitats of perennial streams and rivers.
All silvery minnows that are native to North America need to go through rigorous management processes to be saved in the wild.
The Rio Grande silvery minnow that once thrived in a habitat of 3000 mi (4828 km), now **** is seen in 200 mi (321.8 km) area, which is only 7% of the historic range. As the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) is more commonly researched, we will discuss this species further in the coming article.
For more relatable content, check out these gar facts and bonito fish fun facts.
Silvery Minnow Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a silvery minnow?
The silvery minnow is a type of fish which consists of seven fish species, all native to North America.
What class of animal does a silvery minnow belong to?
The Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) belongs to the class of Actinopterygii in the kingdom of Animalia. Also, the Rio Grande silvery minnow is an endangered species and a member of seven such species of silvery minnows found in the environment.
How many silvery minnows are there in the world?
The population is not known but due to lack of proper management, the numbers of Rio Grande silvery minnow have declined alarmingly.
Where does a silvery minnow live?
This endangered species, Rio Grande silvery minnow, was historically abundant in Española, New Mexico, and to the Gulf of Mexico in Texas. However, things have changed drastically for the Rio Grande silvery minnow as they can **** be seen in tge Cochiti Dam to the north of Albuquerque down to the Elephant **** Reservoir in the south.
The plains minnow is found in the Mississippi River in the Missouri, Arkansas, Red, ****, and Colorado River drainages. This fish is also found in North Dakota and Montana to New Mexico and Texas.
The eastern silvery minnow has been seen in the Connecticut River apart from the river drainages of St. Lawrence River in Quebec south to Georgia.
The western silvery minnow is found in the Missouri River Basin and the drainage from its mouth to the mouth of the Ohio River and the South Saskatchewan River.
The Mississippi silvery minnow is found in the low land areas of the Mississippi River basin. They are also found in the Gulf of Mexico in Texas.
The Cypress minnow of the USA is found in Ohio and basins in Indiana, Illinois, and Louisiana.
The **** minnow is found in the United States and Canada.
What is a silvery minnow's habitat?
The Rio Grande silvery minnow prefers low-flow streams and rivers as their natural habitat in the wild.
During times of extreme low flows in the rivers and streams, the Rio Grande silvery minnow was found in seepage and leakage pools located downstream of irrigation diversion dams, and before construction of the dams, the fish from Texas was found in the canyon of the Rio Grande upstream of Cochiti.
The Rio Grande silvery minnow prefers large streams with slow water flowing over mud, shifting sand-silt substrate bottom, or gravel substrate in the natural environment.
It is easy to spot Mississippi silvery minnows in a small stream right before the stream connects to a bigger stream or river.
Who do silvery minnows live with?
There is no informati**** **** the company that minnows keep.
How long does a silvery minnow live?
The life span of silver minnows is around three years. These numbers are valid for the eastern silvery minnow.
How do they reproduce?
The reproduction season is usually from April to June-July and minnows are known for spawning during high spring flow due to snow runoff and reservoir release. Spawning of the eggs is done in currents. The eggs hatch in about 24 hours. This process is for the Rio Grande silvery minnow. Other minnows show different reproductive behaviors.
The Rio Grande silvery minnow larvae can swim in just three to four days after the larvae hatch from the eggs.
What is their conservation status?
The Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) is considered the most endangered species of fish native to North America, as found by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
There has been a recovery project attempted by the agency, but it will still take a lot of time for the fish to flourish in the region due to the critical nature of their population. Abundant in the past, the Rio Grande silvery minnow is now given the status of Endangered by the IUCN Red List.
The main reason is habitat loss.
The western silvery minnow is also categorized as Near Threatened, however, all other five species native to North America are categorized as Least Concern.
Silvery Minnow Fun Facts
What do silvery minnows look like?
The Rio Grande silvery minnow is a stout silvery minnow. It has small eyes and a small mouth.
The **** minnow has an olive-green back, a **** side, and a cream-colored underbelly.
The Cyprus minnow is a silver-colored fish with a small mouth and large eyes.
The angulate fins of the eastern silvery minnow are different than the other species of minnows.
The Mississippi silvery minnow has reflective silver scales **** irs **** and a large dark line in the center of its back.
How cute are they?
They can be considered cute.
How do they communicate?
Fish communicate visually and chemically.
How big is a silvery minnow?
A Rio Grande silvery minnow can reach a total length up to 3.5 in (8.89 cm).
The western silvery grande is double the size with a total length of 7 in (17.78 cm).
The white cloud mountain minnow found in the region of the white mountains of China has a range of length from 1-1.5 in (2.54-3.81 cm).
How fast can a silvery minnow swim?
The speed of silvery minnow is not known.
How much does a silvery minnow weigh?
The weight of a silvery minnow is not known. The Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia is **** of the largest freshwater fishes and has a weight of up to 650 lb (294.8 kg).
What are the male and female names of the species?
Males and females are not given different names.
What would you call a baby silvery minnow?
Babies at first are called larvae.
What do they eat?
The diet of these fishes includes algae, **** materials, benthic macroinvertebrates, and some invertebrates. Some are herbivores and others omnivores.
The Rio Grande silvery minnow and all other silvery minnow species have a lot of predators in their freshwater habitats. Bass, pike, walleye, and big freshwater fishes like the beluga sturgeon might also eat this small silvery minnow species as they share the same habitat.
Are they dangerous?
They are not dangerous.
Would they make a good pet?
These fishes are not usually considered pets.
Did you know...
An egg salvage plot project was started for the recovery of the Rio Grande silvery minnow by the USFWS in 2000. However, seeing the critical nature of the number of the species, the recovery is still years away.
Why is the Rio Grande silvery minnow endangered?
The Endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow status is mainly due to habitat loss (due to river diversion) and pollution.
Presently the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow is found in the Cochiti Dam and the Elephant **** Reservoir in the region. The Rio Grande silvery minnow that **** was abundant in almost 3000 mi (4828 km) range in the wild (the Gulf of Mexico in Texas, New Mexico, Española) now **** is found in 200 mi (321.8 km) range.
This range is just 7% of the historic range of the fish.
What's unique about silvery minnows?
A unique feature of the Rio Grande silvery minnow is that the Rio Grande silvery minnow eggs hatch in just 24 hours after spawning.
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 rainbow cichlid facts and Arctic char interesting facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in **** of our free printable silvery minnow coloring pages.
Silvery Minnow Facts
What Did They Prey On?
Algae, organic materials, benthic macroinvertebrates, and some invertebratesWhat Type of Animal were they?
Herbivore and OmnivoreAverage Litter Size?
Up to 2500 minnow eggsHow Much Did They Weigh?
N/AWhat habitat Do they Live In?
freshwater habitatWhere Do They Live?
north americaHow Long Were They?
Usually from 4-8 in (10.16-20.32 cm)How Tall Were They?
N/AClass
ActinopterygiiGenus
HybognathusFamily
LeuciscidaeScientific Name
N/AWhat Do They Look Like?
Reflective silver scalesSkin Type
Wet and slimy scalesWhat Are Their Main Threats?
habitat lossWhat is their Conservation Status?
Rio Grande Silvery Minnow: Endangered Western Silvery Minnow: Near Threatened All other members: Least Concern
We Want Your Photos!
More for You
See All
Bachelor of Arts specializing in English
Ritwik BhuyanBachelor of Arts specializing in English
A skilled content writer, Ritwik holds a Bachelor's degree in English from Delhi University. He has refined his writing abilities through his past experience at PenVelope and his current role at Kidadl. In addition to his proficiency in writing, Ritwik has pursued his passion for flying by achieving CPL training and becoming a licensed commercial pilot. This diverse skill set highlights his commitment to exploring multiple fields. Ritwik's experience in the aviation industry has provided him with a unique perspective and attention to detail, which he brings to his writing.
Postgraduate Diploma in Management
Sakshi RaturiPostgraduate Diploma in Management
Sakshi has experience in marketing strategy, social media planning, and recruiting industry experts for capstone projects, she has displayed a commitment to enhancing their skills and knowledge. She has won multiple awards, including a Certificate of Appreciation for Creative Writing and a Certificate of Merit for Immaculate Turut, and is always seeking new opportunities to grow and develop.
Disclaimer
1) 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. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. 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.
2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. 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. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate 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.
3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.