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Hertzler
Farm
and Feed Inc.
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Fathead Minnows
Fathead minnows are an excellent food source for a variety of fish, especially Largemouth Bass and Black Crappie. The minnow is a deep bodied fish with a blunt head and incomplete lateral line. Its color is olive to pale tan with nondistinctive black markings. The breeding males have yellow bands behind the head and dorsal fin. Spawning begins when the water temperature begins to rise rapidly in the spring usually between early April when the air temperature atays about 65 degrees F. They will spawn several times during the cool periods throughout the summer. The female will spawn three or four times per season. Eggs are deposited on the underside of submerged objects, grass and feeds. Fatheads feed on small organic organisms found in the pond, and their maximum length seldem exceeds three inches in size thus making them one of the best forage fish available for catfish, bass, bluegill, and crappie to feed on. Due to short life span and high mortality rate, fathead minnows should be restocked twice every year, unless schools of minnows are seen around the edge of the pond. Fathead Minnows should be stocked in every new and old pond for the establishment of a forage food. We recommend 8-16 pounds per surface acre. There are approximately 200-300 minnows per pound, depending on the size. This information was taken from literature provided by Fish Wagon and Arkansas Pondstockers. Other links about Fathead Minnows
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