Nest site selection by male fathead minnows, Pimephales promelas.

Abstract

Nest site selection by male fathead minnows was examined by placing artificial nest sites of three sizes at three depths and on two sides of a pond. Structure size and side of the pond were important predictors of structure use as nests. Northern nest sites were used more than southern sites; structures of 100 and 200 cm2 were used more than those of 50 cm2. There was no differential use of structures between 0.25 and 1 m. Finally, other site preferences and alternative mating strategies are implicated. Understanding nest site selection may be important to optimize breeding of commercially important or biologically interesting species.