Minnow

Minnow, common name for many small freshwater fishes found throughout the world except for South America and Australia. The original minnow is a 3-in (7.6-cm) European fish, but the name has also been extended to its relatives, which include carp, cutlips, shiners, roach, and tench. Minnows feed on insects and crustaceans and are important in the food chain, since larger fish feed on them. The largest American minnow is the squawfish, or Pacific pike, which may grow to several feet. Minnows have long pharyngeal teeth around their gills. They lay their eggs in gravel or in special nests.