Minnow and our canals
Minnows are a widespread fish common across freshwater streams, rivers, canals and some lakes in the UK. This diminutive fish forms large shoals on the waters they reside in.
How to identify a minnow
With a green/dark olive colouring along their sides and striped banding similar to the perch, minnows are distinctive fish. They’re small fish, rarely exceeding 8cm, and have a short, rounded dorsal fin and an upturned mouth.
Female minnows have a shiny white belly. Males have a red belly with red pelvic fins and can sometimes be confused with a three-spined stickleback.
Lifecycle of a minnow
From June to July, minnows gather in large spawning shoals. They spawn several times, migrating upstream to shallow gravel beds where they deposit clumps of eggs between stones. These hatch after 5-10 days. Minnows mature at one year when they grow to about 35-40mm.
Where to find minnow
They are widespread in England and Wales, present in the margins and backwaters of most rivers.
