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Ptychocheilus oregonensis (Richardson, 1836)
Northern Pikeminnow
Family: Cyprinidae
Introduction to the Fish

Photograph

© Tim Loh     (Photo ID #123461)

Map


Click on the map to view a larger version.
Source: Distribution map provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC

Species Information

Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 10; Anal soft rays: 8 - 9; Vertebrae: 44 - 46. Mot deep bodied, greatest depth 16.6% (TL), belly gently rounded in mature individuals. Head moderately long, its length 22.8% (TL); eye small in adults, 17.6% of head length, but larger in young 7.6 cm long, when 25.2% of head length; snout long, 33.1% of head length of adults; interorbital width 29.6% of head length; mouth large, extending back to below anterior margin of eye. All fins clear. Pelvic axillary process usually a ridge. Peritoneum present. Nuptial tubercles fine, on head and back, on pectoral and pelvic fins and sometimes on the caudal fin. Dark green or green-brown dorsally becoming silvery white or cream ventrally. The lower fins of the males become yellow or yellow-orange during spawning period.

Source: FishBase. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr 1991 A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.

Biology

Species Biology

Occurs in lakes, ponds and occasionally in runs of small to large rivers. Feeds on fishes, terrestrial insects, plankton, aquatic insect larvae, and crustaceans while inshore; feeds mostly on fishes while offshore (Ref. 1998). Male Pikeminnows, Prickly Sculpins, and newts prey on the eggs (Ref. 1998).

Source: FishBase. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr 1991 A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.

Distribution

BC Distribution and Notes

The northern pike minnow is a much-maligned fish. Biologically it is something of an anomaly — a large, predaceous minnow. Its biology has been reasonably well studied but always with the aim of “controlling” its numbers. The “dwarf” pikeminnows in some lakes on the Bonaparte Plateau may be unique to B.C., but are probably stunted introduced populations

Source: Information provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC.
Global Distribution

North America: Pacific drainages from Nass River in British Columbia, Canada to Columbia River in Nevada, USA; Harney River basin in Oregon, USA; Peace River system (Arctic basin) in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

Source: FishBase. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr 1991 A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
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Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)		COSEWIC
NativeS5YellowNot Listed



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

Additional Range and Status Information Links

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 University of Alaska Museum

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