Since I'm a minnow, I decided to learn more about minnows... the ones with fins. Turns out minnows are simply small fish that like to hang out in school, eat bugs and swim for their lives because they are a tasty treat for bigger fish.

There are over 290 kinds of minnows in North America and they live in rivers, streams, and lakes.

Growing the Minnow Population

Preparing the Pad

It turns out that the male minnow, aka poppa, is the one that prepares and decorates the nursery by blowing indents into sandy areas under rocks and wood. Poppa spends his time keeping other male minnows away from his soon to be baby factory.

Courting his mate to drop some eggs

This is where it gets ceeerrraaazzzy! With a nursery ready, poppa needs to attract some mommas. He swims back and forth, post promoting his nest to only the fertile ladies. The ones with eggs get wooed to drop their eggs while poppa contributes his lovejuice. But, as soon as momma drops her eggs, she is cast out and no longer welcome.

The ladies without eggs get driven away because apparently, they have a healthy appetite for roe. Hungry, maybe? Or could they be jealous too?

Baby duty

Poppa’s a single parent. He’s the one fanning the eggs to make sure they get enough oxygen. He cleans them with his fins. He removes the eggs that are not viable. He chases away predators looking for tasty roe. (In Steem, we call the poppas witnesses.) And, even after the baby minnows hatch, they live under dad’s roof until they are ready to head out on their own! (That takes about a week in Minnow land.)

Final thoughts

I’m grateful for all my brothers and sisters who share the nest with me. I started to list you all but didn't want to leave anyone out. You know who you are. You know how special you are to me. As we can grow in stature (Steem Power and Reputation), let us look back at our minnow days with fondness and know we did it together!

This post is #steemified... pertaining to Steem.

Inspiration from this story is from the article titled The Breeding Cycle of Minnows.

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Much luv,

@karencarrens

Steemified Series: How Minnows are Born and Raised - Things you aren't taught in Minnow school