European minnow Care Guide

The European minnow is a delicate species of fish that requires specific care. To ensure the well-being of your European minnows, it is important to provide them with a suitable environment and proper nutrition.

Tank Setup

The European minnow thrives in a tank environment that mimics its natural habitat. These minnows are social creatures and do best in groups, requiring a minimum school size of 6. The tank should provide at least 10 liters of water per fish, ensuring ample space for the group to move around comfortably.

These fish are quite adaptable in terms of tank habitat, existing comfortably as surface, mid-tank, and bottom dwellers. Maintaining the water temperature between 15°C and 25°C, along with a pH range of 6 to 8, is crucial for their health.

Feeding

European minnows require a varied diet to thrive. A balanced diet can include flakes and pellets, as well as live or frozen foods such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, tubifex worms, and daphnia. They also benefit from vegetable matter and algae wafers, which can be supplemented with color-enhancing food and freeze-dried options. Feeding once or twice a day in moderate quantities is advised to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality.

Social Behavior and Compatibility

These minnows are social fish and enjoy the company of their own kind, making them popular community tank inhabitants. They exhibit mostly peaceful aggression levels, although slightly increased aggression can be noted during breeding periods. The addition of stick-on tablets can help moderate aggression by providing distractions and engage their natural foraging instincts.

Tank Maintenance

With a low maintenance level, European minnows require regular but simple upkeep. Maintaining clean water through regular water changes and monitoring water parameters is important to their health. Ensure your filtration system is suitable for the size of the tank and the number of fish housed.

By providing the right environment, proper diet, and regular care, your European minnows will thrive, displaying their natural behavior and beauty in your tank.