• The common carp is the largest and most widespread of the minnow species.carp on Steroids image by Christine from Fotolia.com
  
  Minnows are common in lakes, streams and ponds all over the world. They are a vital part of the food chain, as they are an important food source for larger fish, birds and even humans. There are over 2,100 species of minnows distributed throughout North America. Many small, young fish are incorrectly called “minnows” simply because of their small size. However, minnows are actually a scientifically defined family of fish called Cyprinidae.
  
  

Blacknose Shiner (Notropis heterolepis)

• This common minnow lives in small creeks and ponds that are shallow and full of weeds. The Blacknose Shiner inhabits the Great Lakes and the Mississippi drainage system. It feeds primarily on bottom vegetation in the early morning or late in the day. It is recognizable by the black stripe that extends from its nose along its lateral line to its tail. Above the black line the Blacknose is green, contrasting with a white belly.
  
  

Bridle Shiner (Notropis bifrenatus)

• The range of the Bridle Shiner runs from New York to North Carolina, especially in the drainages of the Virginia and Neuse Rivers. The Bridle Shiner is a widespread minnow species found in a variety of waters as long as they are warm and still or very slow moving. It inhabits small streams and ponds, and even larger lakes and rivers where the water is slow. The Bridle Shiner prefers habitats where there is a moderate amount of vegetation, usually over mud, silt or debris. In the southern part of its range it can live in slightly brackish water. The Bridle Shiner feeds during the day and eats mainly small insects, amphipods, water mites, mollusks, and plant material. It takes food from both the surface and bottom of the water.
  
  

Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

• The Common Carp is the largest member of the minnow family. Introduced into North American waterways in 1876, it has since spread across the entire continental United States. Although it can be found in almost any aquatic habitat, the Common Carp prefers the warm waters of streams or lakes that have muddy bottoms. Carp feed mostly on plankton, insects, and aquatic plants. Though carp are a common fish for game, with some individuals caught weighing in the 50 pound range, they are still considered a nuisance because of their feeding habits, which tend to uproot plants, resulting in cloudy and muddy waters.