minnow

a kind of fish – small finned and bony fish with scales – a general name given to a large group in silver colour found in fresh water; size: from 2-4 inches long (some species grow up to 1 foot), and weight: depends on the size and species; feeds on (eats) small water animals, eggs and the young of other fish; lives for 3-4 years; about 2,000 species found in most fresh water bodies of the world

Some common fish that are called ‘minnow’ are the small species of: chub, shiner, stoneroller, carp, dace, fallfish, goldfish, danionins

Special Features:

Minnows are not much preferred as food fish for people because they are very small and bony. However, they are very important food for other fish which people eat.

Minnows are used as bait to catch game fish and in the food for the pet fish, and some species, like the goldfish, are kept as pets.

The males of most minnow fish are brightly coloured during breeding season; and they build nests on the bottom of the water for females to lay eggs (some of these small fish build very large nests)!

Figures of Speech:

1.

minnow (noun)  =  (in sports) an underdog, i.e. one of the players or teams that is expected to lose the game, or one who is at a disadvantage

2.

minnows are better than nae fish (‘nae’ = no, not {Scottish adverb}) [said as a reply in defence of the small size of a person’s possessions, children, etc.,

meaning ‘having small fish is better than not having any fish’]

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