Sheepshead minnow
📖 Overview
Adults occur usually near vegetation in salt, brackish and fresh water . They inhabit hypersaline lagoons and connecting channels. Found on muddy bottoms in turbid waters . Omnivorous; consuming organic detritus and algae, as well as microcrustaceans, and dipteran larvae . Caught with fine-meshed nets. Very abundant and easily reproduced in captivity. Used as a forage fish in mariculture . Not a seasonal killifish. Is easy to maintain in the aquarium .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
A short, deep-bodied, compressed fish. Scales large, dorsal profile straight from tip of snout to front of dorsal fin; dark marginal band on tail .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sheepshead minnow is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; non-migratory . Subtropical; 45°N - 0°N, 98°W - 49°W North and South America: Massachusetts, USA to northeastern Mexico; and West Indies (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Sheepshead minnow is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 251 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Sheepshead minnow has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bahama Sheepshead Minnow · Pursy Minnow · Sheephead Minnow · Sheepshead Minnow · Sheepshead Pupfish |
| 🌍CES | halančíkovec diamantový |
| 🇩🇰Danish | Fårehoved-tandkarpe |
| 🇩🇪German | Edelsteinkärpfling · Schafskopfkärpfling |
| 🇫🇷French | Pétote |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Изменчивый карпозубик |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Petota · bolín · pipón |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprinodon baconi | Breder | 1932 | Synonym |
| Cyprinodon ellipsoidea | Lesueur | 1821 | Synonym |
| Cyprinodon gibbosus | Baird & Girard | 1853 | Synonym |
| Cyprinodon rhomboidalis | Valenciennes | 1821 | Synonym |
| Cyprinodon variegatus baconi | Breder | 1932 | Synonym |
| Cyprinodon variegatus ovinus | Mitchill | 1815 | Synonym |
| Cyprinodon variegatus variegatus | - | - | Synonym |
| Cyprinus variegatus | Bosc | 1803 | Heterotypic |
| Esox ovinus | Mitchill | 1815 | Synonym |
| Lebia ellipsoidea | Lesueur | 1821 | Synonym |
| Lebias rhomboidalis | Valenciennes | 1821 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 231 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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