
Baby rosy red minnows are known as fry. They are very small when they are born, and they need to be fed a diet of live food. You can purchase special fry food from a pet store, or you can give them live brine shrimp or bloodworms.
What do minnow fry eat?
Just like the adult minnows, minnow fry is not picky in what they eat. They eat a variety of food ranging from live feeds to micro-foods. They often fancy freshly hatched brine shrimp as part of their raw food. However, it is essential to feed fry quality food that will support their growth and health.
What do rosy red minnows eat in the winter?
Simply drop in some flake or pellet foods that you would normally feed koi or goldfish and they’ll be all set! Your Rosy Red Minnows will likely find some other larvae and insects to nibble on as well. Because of their hardy nature, they’ll do fine in the winter too.
What can I Feed my Rosy red fish?
In the wild, rosy reds are omnivores, eating both plant matter and algae, as well as small invertebrates and larvae. When keeping rosy reds in a tank, plant-based foods are a good choice. Flakes and pellets are great non-live food for rosy reds.
Can you keep rosy red minnows with goldfish?
You can keep them with other common pond fish like koi, adding a small splash of color to the environment. Simply drop in some flake or pellet foods that you would normally feed koi or goldfish and they’ll be all set! Your Rosy Red Minnows will likely find some other larvae and insects to nibble on as well.

What do rosy red minnow fry eat?
They primarily eat a mix of insects, algae, and plant matter in their natural habitat, so you'll be trying to replicate this in captivity. Some good goldfish pellets or flakes usually do the trick for the base of their diet, but there's more you can add as well.
Do Rosy Red Minnows eat their babies?
Once all of the eggs have hatched, the male will usually abandon his cave, and will ignore the fry. In most cases it's safe to leave the fry in the same tank as adult rosy red minnows, as they rarely eat their young. The most difficult aspect of keeping rosy red minnows, is actually finding healthy ones.
How fast do Rosy Red Minnows breed?
Rosy Red minnow eggs take up to five days to hatch. Each cluster has about 400 eggs that you might find on or in one of your aquarium structures. White Cloud minnow eggs will appear within one or two days of your adult fish breeding.
How long does it take for Rosy Red Minnows to grow?
Although Rosy Red Minnows mature at 6 months of age, they don't breed until they are between 1 and 2 years old. With a lifespan of 2 to 4 years, that could leave a very short window of opportunity.
What can I feed my minnows to keep them alive?
What to feed minnows to keep them alive? Commercial fish food is an easy and inexpensive option to feed minnows. Any tropical fish flake dried blood worms, or even oats will work. But don't overfeed them, minnows kept for fishing only need to be fed every 3-4 days.
How many babies do rosy red minnows have?
The female will then lay as many as 400 eggs in a single sitting, which will often be on a flat surface of some kind. The males then act as guardians for the next 4 to 5 days while they hatch to ensure they are safe while they fertilize. After these 4 to 5 days, these eggs hatch into the first fry.
What do baby minnows eat?
Minnows, which are generally small, silvery, freshwater fish, feed on many sources in the wild. Upon hatching, the fry, or baby minnows, feed on algae, insect larvae and small aquatic insects, detritus (decomposing matter on the bottom of a pond, lake or stream), diatoms, and very small crustaceans.
Will minnows eat their babies?
White cloud minnows are one of the easier fish to breed, simply due to the fact they rarely cannibalize their young. While most eggs and fry will normally be eaten or picked off by their hungry, uncaring parents, white cloud minnows will ignore the eggs and generally co-exist with the tiniest fry.
How do you tell if minnows are breeding?
4:057:09Rosy Red Minnow Breeding Behavior | They Laid Eggs!!! | DIY ReptilesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut I'm thinking that that that other Brown minnow. Isn't see it right there it.MoreBut I'm thinking that that that other Brown minnow. Isn't see it right there it.
Will minnows breed in a tank?
You can breed them in a 20-gallon aquarium with current from powerheads. Feed them vegetable flakes supplemented with blackworms, brine shrimp and bloodworms. Use a plastic shoebox with gravel or pebbles as a spawning site. Collect eggs for a week by leaving the box in the adult tank.
How many minnows can go in a 10 gallon tank?
six fishMake sure to get a larger tank if the minnows start to multiply. Only around six fish should be kept in a 10 gallon tank.
Are minnows bottom feeders?
Minnows feed on both the surface and the bottom of the tank, so it is best to supply them with floating foods, as well as those that sink. What is this?
Will minnows eat their babies?
White cloud minnows are one of the easier fish to breed, simply due to the fact they rarely cannibalize their young. While most eggs and fry will normally be eaten or picked off by their hungry, uncaring parents, white cloud minnows will ignore the eggs and generally co-exist with the tiniest fry.
Are rosy red minnows easy to breed?
You will find that rosy red minnows can survive in most water conditions and even most temperatures. And because these fish are so easy to breed, you can also easily make more.
Are rosy reds aggressive?
A: Minnows generally live for around two years if given the correct diet and living conditions. Q: Are Rosy Red minnows aggressive? A: No. The Rosy Red minnow is a peaceful schooling fish that gets on very well with other species of a similar size and temperament.
What do minnows eggs look like?
0:3211:50Rosy Red Minnow Eggs Hatching ON CAMERA! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd inside those eggs you can see these little black specks. And those black specks inside the eggsMoreAnd inside those eggs you can see these little black specks. And those black specks inside the eggs are the eyes of the fish. Inside every egg you can tell that there's two specks.
What is the Rosy Red Minnow?
The rosy red minnow, in appearance, has patches of grey and brown coloring, as well as a pale stripe from its head to its tail.
Rosy Red Minnow Care
For those who want to keep rosy reds as aquarium pets instead of feeders, you will first need to create the right aquarium set-up.
Tank Mates for Rosy Red Minnows
Rosy reds are a peaceful species. They get along well with other fish and rarely become aggressive. This makes them perfect additions to community tanks.
How to Breed Rosy Red Minnows
The interesting breeding habits of the rosy red minnow are a bonus, since, unlike most fish, this kind is similar to cichlids.
Underrated but Rewarding
Rosy reds are an underrated fish, subjected to poor care in pet stores. While they may be hardy fish, this subpar care will be the biggest problem you will encounter when keeping your own rosy reds.
Rosy Red Minnows Facts & Overview
In optimal conditions in captivity, you can expect your Rosy Red Minnows to live for approximately 2 to 4 years. Considering they don’t start breeding until they reach the age of two, that’s not a lot of time.
Appearance
Although from their name you would think Rosy Red Minnows are red, in actuality they are usually golden, pale orange, or pink. They have a solid color, but the hue gets lighter at the upper part of the fish. They also have translucent fins.
Habitat and Tank Conditions
While Rosy Red Minnows are adaptable to many different conditions in their natural habitats of lakes, ponds, and rivers, you should keep a smaller range of temperatures in your home aquarium. One reason for this is to allow for continuous breeding (read more about breeding below.)
Diet
Rosy Red Minnows are not at all picky about what they eat; they’re omnivores that will eat a variety of things. They actually can be sort of tank cleaners if you keep them around long enough, and will consume algae, insect larvae, and planktons so that they don’t overtake your aquarium.
Care
The best thing you can do to care for your Rosy Red Minnows and your other aquarium inhabitants is to make sure your Rosy Reds are healthy. This starts with quarantining any Red Rosy Minnows before adding them to your tank.
Breeding
Rosy Red Minnows breed pretty constantly in captivity. In the wild, their fertile months are between May and September, when they can enjoy their ideal breeding water temperature between 50° – 78° F (10-25.6° C). In your home aquarium, however, you can control the temperature and encourage spawning year rounds.
Are Rosy Red Minnows Suitable for your Aquarium?
Rosy Red Minnows are hardy and simple to care for. Versatile enough to keep in a home aquarium or a pond, these little fish are a great addition for any enthusiast. These freshwater minnows are great for beginners, breedable, and interesting enough to capture the attention of more experienced hobbyists.
Appearance
Rosy red minnows are small, reddish fish. Despite the name, they are not vibrant, firebox red, as you might expect. Rather, they are a somewhat orangey hue, with slight blue highlights.
Behavior
Rosy red minnows are peaceful and pleasant fish. They enjoy living in groups of 4-6, and they are very social with other fish.
Caring for Rosy Red Minnows
As mentioned, these fish are often sold as feeders to other fish. As such, they can often be kept in poor conditions.
Tank setup
Optimal conditions for your fish are between 50-70°F. This helps to encourage breeding.
Tank Mates
These fish are peaceful and can live harmoniously with a host of other breeds, even in small tanks. They are typically kept in groups of 4-6.
Feeding Rosy Red Minnows
Fortunately, these fish are very versatile in their diet, too – not fussy eaters! You can provide them with a range of different foods, seeing as they are omnivorous.
Breeding Rosy Red Minnows
To start breeding these fish, you will first need to identify which ones are male and female.
Overview
The North American tiny species is grabbing the eyeballs in the pet trade world, and all, too, for the right reasons. They are small, colourful, and don’t have such high-end requirements for food and tank set-up. Whatever you need to do is basic for any other fishes.
Origin and Habitat of Rosy Red Minnow
In the wild, these fishes are widely distributed in Mexico (Chihuahua), Canada (Great Slave Lake), and America (Louisiana).
Appearance of Rosy Red Minnow
The general Flathead Minnow has an olive green body with dark coloured patterns. Since these Rosy Red Minnows are a colour-specific mutation, as we have already mentioned in the introduction, they showcase monochromatic shades. Sexual dimorphism is present in terms of both aspects of size and colours.
Behaviour of Rosy Red Minnow
Rosy Red Minnows have the mildest of temperament with a social, rather schooling proclivity. They love to stay with their own type and don’t prefer to come out of the group alone. By group we mean, minimum of 4-6 fishes together will be good enough for the tiny swimmers.
Lifespan of Rosy Red Minnow
A Rosy Red Minnow can live for around 4 years if they are well taken care of. Ironically the otherwise hardy fishes live a lot less (like for 2 years) if they breed extensively because their body can’t take the pressure of spawning and other breeding procedures for a long time.
Diet of Rosy Red Minnow
The Minnows are actually omnivores in nature, easily consuming plants, algae, and crustaceans. If you keep them inside a tank, they act as wonderful tank cleaners. Keeping this in mind, you should provide a balanced diet including the best from both worlds (i.e vegetables and meat).
Tank Requirements of Rosy Red Minnow
The hardy species doesn’t call for lavish tanks, as they are literally comfortable with anything possible. Since they don’t live for a long time, you need to give them proper food and tank related care so that their health is not compromised. This is because a captive-bred fish can outlive its natural lifespan if it is well taken care of.
What Should You Feed Minnows?
Minnows do not live for very long. They do not long when maintained in affected areas. This means you should use them as soon as your fishing trip. You must give minnows the proper diet if you want them to live longer.
In Captivity Feeding
Some anglers let fish in streams to eat algae. They also let fish eat the phytoplankton that grows in the water. Algal production is made because of plant fertilizers with greater phosphoric compounds. These compounds increase algal development.
Feeding in the Natural Environment
Minnows’ natural feeding habits vary. This is due to the size of the Cyprinidae family. Minnows eat insects, insect larvae, and even smaller fish. Also, they eat crawfish, brine shrimp, and their own and other fish’s eggs—these microscopic fragments of dead animal matter in the environment. ( Read What To Wear When You Go Fishing)
What do minnow-like fish eat?
The minnow eats parasites with larvae at home. They eat parasites such as clams and algae with more food. People who release them into the water provide an opportunity for the fish to eat algae. Those who produce minnows do this process, too.
Why should Minnows not be overfed?
A diet high in minnows can lead to harmful effects. Minnows must swallow as many calories as they require per hour. The fish could stop eating for five seconds. They do this after they remove the meal after three feedings. The calorie count of your meal is related to the quantity. The amount is dependent on the volume in the tank.
When it comes to minnows, how long can they go without eating?
Smaller, longer-lived fish may go without food for many hours. When larger and stronger fish aren’t feeding, they have a greater hunger for fat. The mycobacterial diet is herbivorous. It has an average number of calories.
Are Breadcrumbs okay for Minnows?
Minnows may be fed by grains. These grains include bread crumbs and yeast. So, that is already a tasty supper for the minnows. Yes, minnows eat bread crumbs.
What Do White Cloud Minnow Fry Eat?
You can feed white cloud minnow flake foods pellets and brine shrimp. They find food that sinks easier to eat and digest as it is typically softer than food that floats.
How Often To feed White Cloud Minnow Fry
White cloud minnow fry should be fed 2-3 times a day. You should feed them enough food that they can eat for no longer than two minutes.
Breeding White Cloud Minnow Fish
The breeding process is an essential step in the aquarium process. It determines the longevity and sustainability of your tank.
Tank Requirements For White Minnow Breeding
White minnow might need a slight alteration to the general tank condition of white minnows during the breeding season. This alteration is relatively more straightforward if you are making use of a breeding tank.
Conclusion
White Minnow fish are hardy. They can feed and reproduce in a large variety of environments. In the wild, they are common in many habitats, including creeks and streams.

Species Summary
Appearance
- The appearance of this species is what draws in a lot of aquarists in the first place. These cute little critters are very colorful fishthat come in one dominant color (most of the time). Even though they have “red” in their name, they’re really more of an orange that will vary when it comes to the shading. This can look a bit more like pink on certain varieties. This color is solid all over their bo…
Size
- The typical Rosy Red Minnow size is between 2 and 3 inchesin length once they’re fully-grown. Because of their name, a lot of aquarists expect them to be smaller! Author Note:There have been reported cases where groups of these fish have exceeded this size in captivity. In all of these situations, they were given great care and plenty of room to swim (and were kept in a large scho…
Rosy Red Minnow Care
- Rosy Red Minnow care is pretty darn easy. These fish are capable of thriving a wide range of water conditions and are quite peaceful. This makes setting up and maintaining their aquarium something that anyone can do. But don’t fall for the classic “hardy fish” trick. A lot of times aquarists will see how durable a fish is and give them average care because they think they can …
Behavior & Temperament
- Rosy Red Minnows are schooling fish that should be kept in groups of at least 5 or 6. They will rarely do anything away from the group no matter what’s going on in the tank. Together, they’re rather active and spend a good amount of time in all areas of the tank. You’ll see them swim down to check something out near the substrate, or up if they see something they want to eat! They’re …
Tank Mates
- Finding tank mates for Rosy Red Minnows first revolves around identifying species that don’t see them as food. This is the downside of these fish being so effective as feeders. Any large or aggressive species is out of the question, and even similarly-sized ones might try their luck at some point. It’s also important to pair them with tank mates that can handle cooler water. The id…
Rosy Red Minnow Breeding
- The nice thing about the Rosy Red Minnow breeding process is that it’s fairly hands-off and easy to initiate. This species will take care of everything as long as you provide them with the right habitat and water conditions. Identifying males and females can seem a bit tricky at first since they all have similar colors. The difference to look for is the size (males are larger by around an i…
Conclusion
- As you can tell, the Rosy Red Minnow is one of the easiest freshwater species to care for. When you think about how hardy they are and their peaceful temperament, there’s not much you need to worry about. They’re also a very interesting fish as well. Their versatility allows you to do things as an aquarist that may not have considered yet (like keeping fish in a pond). The sky is the limit! If …
Rosy Red Minnows Facts & Overview
Appearance
- Although from their name you would think Rosy Red Minnows are red, in actuality they are usually golden, pale orange, or pink. They have a solid color, but the hue gets lighter at the upper part of the fish. They also have translucent fins. The females have smaller bodies than the males, but both sexes have slender bodies, with round eyes that lay laterally on their flat heads. Their bodie…
Habitat and Tank Conditions
- While Rosy Red Minnows are adaptable to many different conditions in their natural habitats of lakes, ponds, and rivers, you should keep a smaller range of temperatures in your home aquarium. One reason for this is to allow for continuous breeding (read more about breeding below.) Rosy Red Minnows are resilient fish, but you don’t want to take that quality for granted. Starting with …
Diet
- Rosy Red Minnows are not at all picky about what they eat; they’re omnivores that will eat a variety of things. They actually can be sort of tank cleaners if you keep them around long enough, and will consume algae, insect larvae, and planktons so that they don’t overtake your aquarium. While what you feed them should be mainly flake or pellet food...
Care
- The best thing you can do to care for your Rosy Red Minnows and your other aquarium inhabitants is to make sure your Rosy Reds are healthy. This starts with quarantining any Red Rosy Minnows before adding them to your tank. Although Rosy Red Minnows can survive even the most trying of water conditions, they have a tendency to carry parasites and other diseases, so i…
Breeding
- Rosy Red Minnows breed pretty constantly in captivity. In the wild, their fertile months are between May and September, when they can enjoy their ideal breeding water temperature between 50° – 78° F (10-25.6° C). In your home aquarium, however, you can control the temperature and encourage spawning year rounds. Although Rosy Red Minnows mature at 6 mo…
Are Rosy Red Minnows Suitable For Your Aquarium?
- Rosy Red Minnows are hardy and simple to care for. Versatile enough to keep in a home aquarium or a pond, these little fish are a great addition for any enthusiast. These freshwater minnows are great for beginners, breedable, and interesting enough to capture the attention of more experienced hobbyists. Whether you’re looking for a pet or a feeder fish, Rosy Red Minnows fit th…