Brassy Minnow - Hybognathus hankinsoni
General Description
As its name implies, live specimens of the brassy minnow have a brassy color. This native species also lives in plains streams east of the Continental Divide in Montana. Its herbivorous food habits are probably similar to western silvery and plains minnows. Brassy minnows are somewhat smaller than its sister species, only reaching a length of about 4 inches.
Diagnostic Characteristics
The back of the brassy minnow is olive-green to brown, the sides are yellowish or dull silver becoming brassy in adults, and the underside is white. A dusky midside stripe is usually present.
Distribution
Montana Range
Observations in Montana: 151
Montana CountiesBig Horn, Blaine, Carter, Cascade, Chouteau, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Hill, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Liberty, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Pondera, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Teton, Toole, Treasure, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux
Habitat
The brassy minnow favored the upper reaches of creeks characterized by no current, silt or mud bottoms, and aquatic vegetation in southeast Montana. They prefer clear, slow streams but have been taken in our larger rivers with high turbidities, and occasionally in lakes.
Food Habits
Brassy minnows are herbivorous. They feed mainly on diatoms and other algae, which it scrapes from the bottom.
Ecology
These fish tend to be abundant in habitats with few predators, as they seem to be very vulnerable to fish predation.
Reproductive Characteristics
Brassy minnows probably spawn in the second or third year during May through July.
Citations & Sources
- Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.