ECOS Guide to the Ecology of the Northern Rockies

Name: Ptychocheilus oregonenesis - Northern Pikeminnow

Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows)

Order: Cypriniformes (Minnows and Suckers)

Class: Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes)

Abundance: Common.

Origin: Native.

Active Season: Year Round

Size:

average: 12 inches
largest: 27 inches

Colors: white-gray (underside), green (upperside).

General Description: Northern pikeminnows are some of the largest North American minnows (although young fish are often called "minnows," minnows are really members of a specific family of fish), and they have been known to reach up to 30 pounds. The have a long body, no teeth a very large mouth that extends further than their eye. Young pikeminnows have a distinctive dark spot at the base of their tail.

Similar Species: Northern pikeminnows are often mistaken for trout, but unlike trout, they have no teeth or adipose fin. They may also be mistaken for the peamouth, another minnow species, but peamouths have very small mouths that do not extend further than their eye like the mouth of the pikeminnow. Lastly, pikeminnows may be confused with the Flathead chub, but the chub has barbels and is not found in the same drainages as the pikeminnow.

Life History: Nothern pikeminnows reproduce when they are five or six years old. Between May and early July, reproducing adults congregate in shallow areas of lakes and streams, or migrate from lakes up tributary streams. Females can lay up to 100,000 eggs, and they often deposit eggs several times in a breeding season. Once the eggs hatch, the young pikeminnows form schools in the shallow edges of lakes or streams.

Distribution: Northern pikeminnows are found from the Pacific ocean to the Rocky Mountains. In Montana, they are only found west of the continental divide.

Habitat Description: Northern pikeminnows are abundant in lakes or slow areas of streams and rivers. Young pikeminnows can be found in schools in shallow areas near the shores of lakes and streams.

Feeding Habits: Northern pikeminnows eat aquatic insects and the young of other fish species. In fact, adult northern pikeminnows eat so many young trout, salmon, and white sturgeons that fisherman consider them a threat. In fact, some states encourage fisherman to catch large northern pikeminnows to help young salmon and trout survive.

Enemies & Diseases: Northern pikeminnows are a favorite food of osprey; researchers in Oregon found that 90% of Osprey's diets were composed of suckers and northern pikeminnows.

Did You Know: Northern pikeminnows in the Willamette valley in Oregon have been found to contain high levels of chemical contaminates like pesticides and PCB's. This is not only bad for the pikeminnows, but as pikeminnows are a primary food source of birds such as ospreys, the chemicals are also found at high levels in the birds, which may cause harmful effects.

Glossary:

Adipose fin: a small fleshy fin along the midline of the back behind the dorsal fin.
Barbels: slender, flexible projections on the mouth or chin used for touch or taste.
Minnow: Although this term is often used to refer to any young fish, it actually refers to a member of a specific family that includes carp, goldfish, shiners, dace, and pikeminnows.

Keywords:

References:

Gadomski D. M. and M. J. Parsley. 2005. Laboratory studies on the vulnerability of young white sturgeon to predation. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25(2): 667-674.

Henny, C. J., J. L Kaiser, R. A. Grove, V. R. Bentley, and J. E. Elliott. 2003. Biomagnification factors for PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, and OC pesticides Environmental monitoring and Assessment, 84(3): 273-315..

Holton, G. D. and H. E. Johnson. 2003. A Field Guide to Montana Fishes, Third Edition. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Helena, MT.

Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Animal Field Guide. Northern Pikeminnow. http://fwp.mt.gov/fieldguide/detail_AFCJB35030.aspx.

Contributor:

Allison Greene


Home Plant Guide Insect Guide Bird Guide Mammal Guide Geology Guide Fish Guide Fish by Name Fish by Family Fish by Order Glossary of Fish Terms Amphibian Guide Reptile Guide Habitats Descriptions Maps Contributors ECOS Home		Physical Characteristics - General Description - Similar Species - Life History - Distribution - Habitat - Feeding Habits - Did You Know - Glossary - References Name: Ptychocheilus oregonenesis - Northern Pikeminnow Family: Cyprinidae (Minnows) Order: Cypriniformes (Minnows and Suckers) Class: Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes) Abundance: Common. Origin: Native. Active Season: Year Round Size: average: 12 inches largest: 27 inches Colors: white-gray (underside), green (upperside). General Description: Northern pikeminnows are some of the largest North American minnows (although young fish are often called "minnows," minnows are really members of a specific family of fish), and they have been known to reach up to 30 pounds. The have a long body, no teeth a very large mouth that extends further than their eye. Young pikeminnows have a distinctive dark spot at the base of their tail. Similar Species: Northern pikeminnows are often mistaken for trout, but unlike trout, they have no teeth or adipose fin. They may also be mistaken for the peamouth, another minnow species, but peamouths have very small mouths that do not extend further than their eye like the mouth of the pikeminnow. Lastly, pikeminnows may be confused with the Flathead chub, but the chub has barbels and is not found in the same drainages as the pikeminnow. Life History: Nothern pikeminnows reproduce when they are five or six years old. Between May and early July, reproducing adults congregate in shallow areas of lakes and streams, or migrate from lakes up tributary streams. Females can lay up to 100,000 eggs, and they often deposit eggs several times in a breeding season. Once the eggs hatch, the young pikeminnows form schools in the shallow edges of lakes or streams. Distribution: Northern pikeminnows are found from the Pacific ocean to the Rocky Mountains. In Montana, they are only found west of the continental divide. Habitat Description: Northern pikeminnows are abundant in lakes or slow areas of streams and rivers. Young pikeminnows can be found in schools in shallow areas near the shores of lakes and streams. Feeding Habits: Northern pikeminnows eat aquatic insects and the young of other fish species. In fact, adult northern pikeminnows eat so many young trout, salmon, and white sturgeons that fisherman consider them a threat. In fact, some states encourage fisherman to catch large northern pikeminnows to help young salmon and trout survive. Enemies & Diseases: Northern pikeminnows are a favorite food of osprey; researchers in Oregon found that 90% of Osprey's diets were composed of suckers and northern pikeminnows. Did You Know: Northern pikeminnows in the Willamette valley in Oregon have been found to contain high levels of chemical contaminates like pesticides and PCB's. This is not only bad for the pikeminnows, but as pikeminnows are a primary food source of birds such as ospreys, the chemicals are also found at high levels in the birds, which may cause harmful effects. Glossary: Adipose fin: a small fleshy fin along the midline of the back behind the dorsal fin. Barbels: slender, flexible projections on the mouth or chin used for touch or taste. Minnow: Although this term is often used to refer to any young fish, it actually refers to a member of a specific family that includes carp, goldfish, shiners, dace, and pikeminnows. Keywords: References: Gadomski D. M. and M. J. Parsley. 2005. Laboratory studies on the vulnerability of young white sturgeon to predation. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 25(2): 667-674. Henny, C. J., J. L Kaiser, R. A. Grove, V. R. Bentley, and J. E. Elliott. 2003. Biomagnification factors for PCDDs, PCDFs, PCBs, and OC pesticides Environmental monitoring and Assessment, 84(3): 273-315.. Holton, G. D. and H. E. Johnson. 2003. A Field Guide to Montana Fishes, Third Edition. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Helena, MT. Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Animal Field Guide. Northern Pikeminnow. http://fwp.mt.gov/fieldguide/detail_AFCJB35030.aspx. Contributor: Allison Greene