Rosy-Red Minnow Care Guide

Pimephales promelas

PeacefulEasyFreshwater
Max Size
6.0 cm / 2.4"
Temperature
10–25°C (50–77°F)
pH Range
6.5 – 8.0
Min Tank Size
38L (10 gal)
Min Group Size
6 fish
Tank Level
Bottom-Mid
Origin
North America
Temperament
Peaceful
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding Difficulty
Easy

Diet

Omnivorous; they eat flakes, pellets, and small live or frozen foods.

Community Compatibility

Other small, peaceful community fish like tetras, rasboras, and guppies.

Good to Know

Rosy-Red Minnows are hardy, active fish that help keep tanks lively and eat leftover food before it fouls the water

Gender Differences

Males are slightly slimmer and more brightly colored; females are rounder, especially when full of eggs.

About the Rosy-Red Minnow

If happiness had a shape, it might look like a school of Rosy-Red Minnows shimmering in unison. These little fish are like sparks of sunlight in your tank, their soft pink to rosy-orange hues brightening every corner they explore. They aren’t showy in a flashy, dramatic way, but their gentle glow and constant motion give the aquarium a feeling of warmth and life that’s hard to resist.

What makes Pimephales promelas endlessly delightful is their energy. They move together in schools, weaving through plants and gliding past decorations with a kind of effortless coordination that’s soothing to watch. There’s a rhythm to their swimming, a quiet choreography that makes even the simplest tank feel alive. Individually, each minnow is small and unassuming, but together they create a dynamic, constantly shifting picture—tiny dancers performing a continuous aquatic ballet.

Rosy-Red Minnows also have a surprising charm in their personalities. They’re curious without being pushy, investigating every new leaf or rock with tiny nibbles and gentle bumps. Even in the presence of other species, they maintain their cheerful demeanor, often acting as the peacemakers of the tank, filling spaces with color and motion. It’s easy to underestimate them at first glance, but once you start paying attention, these minnows prove that joy doesn’t have to be loud or extravagant—it can be found in the soft glow of a small, constantly moving community of rosy swimmers.

Stock Rosy-Red Minnow in Your Tank

Use our free stocking calculator to see if Rosy-Red Minnow fits your aquarium