Ceratichthys vigilax, Ceratichthys perspicuus, Pimephales vigilax vigilax, and Pimephales vigilax perspicuus

Native to Lake Michigan and Lake Huron tributaries (Hocutt and Wiley 1986)

Hybridization with other members of Pimephales (including Great Lakes native P. promelas) has been reported in captivity (Muller 2000), but the potential for hybridization with wild native populations of Pimephales notatus and P. promelas is unknown.

Although widely distributed across North America, introductions of Pimephales spp. as a bait species in Europe have resulted in devastating effects on the wildlife in northern Europe. Its introduction in Europe resulted in the co-introduction of enteric redmouth disease, an organism that negatively affects wild and cultured trout and eels (Bonner 2016).

There is little or no evidence to support that Pimephales vigilax has significant socio-economic impacts in the Great Lakes.

Pimephales vigilax has a high beneficial effect in the Great Lakes.

Pimephales vigilax is one of the three most widely cultured bait species (Sublette et al 1990) and a popular baitfish in the Great Lakes region.  They also play a significant role in fisheries as prey for important commercial and recreational fish species. Albino fathead minnows, often referred to as "rosy-red minnows," are commonly used as bait for recreational fishing, and are also used as a feeder fish in bass-bream ponds. Albino fathead minnows are commonly found in aquaria, with both sexes possessing red-orange body and fins.  Fathead minnows are significant contributors to global toxicology and behavioral ecology research due to their relatively short lifespan and high reproductive rate. Likewise, it has become the most widely utilized North American model for ecotoxicology since the mid-twentieth century.

Regulations (pertaining to the Great Lakes region)
Harvest (as a baitfish) may be regulated by state and local laws. 

Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.

Control
Biological
There are no known biological control methods for this species.

Physical
There are no known physical control methods for this species

Chemical
There are no known chemical control methods specific to this species.  General piscicides such as rotenone will likely be effective, but with significant nn-target mortality.

Note: Check state/provincial and local regulations for the most up-to-date information regarding permits for control methods.

The literature is unclear and somewhat contradictory concerning the native versus nonindigenous distribution of this species. Lee et al. (1980 et seq.) stated that the Upper Rio Grande and northern Texas (Red River drainage) populations were presumably introduced. The dot distribution maps given by Hubbs and Black (1947; as Ceratichthys perspicuus) and Lee et al. (1980 et seq.) also show records from the Missouri River and tributaries (e.g., lower James River) within the states of Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa. However, these researchers apparently considered the Missouri River records to represent part of its native distribution. In contrast, Cross et al. (1986) stated that Pimephales vigilax "did not occur naturally in the Missouri River system." In their summary table, Cross et al. listed it as introduced to the Kansas River and Sioux-James River systems and as native to the Red River and elsewhere. Page and Burr (1991) stated that populations in the Rio Grande of New Mexico and western Texas may be introduced. They did not mention the possibility of its introduction into other areas. Furthermore, in their range map for this species, Page and Burr (1991) did not show it as occurring in the Missouri River drainage. Similar to Lee et al. (1980 et seq.), Hubbs et al. (1991) stated that "populations apparently introduced into the upper Rio Grande Basin and upper Red and Canadian basins in Texas." Smith and Miller (1986) recognized it as native to the lower Rio Grande and Pecos river drainages. They made no mention of its possible introduction into the upper Rio Grande. Cross and Collins (1995) noted that the Bullhead Minnow has become common in the Kansas River in Kansas as far west as Saline County. Records from the Missouri River system in South Dakota (and possibly adjacent states) may be erroneous. For example, without providing details, Hubbs and Black (1947) had doubts about records from South Dakota. Apparently in reference to all, or many, of these same South Dakota records, Bailey and Allum (1962) made note of Pimephales notatus specimens that had been misidentified as "Ceratichthys vigilax" in the earlier literature. Unfortunately, they made no further mention of "vigilax" in their work. (Bailey and Allum also stated that P. notatus was one of a group of species that had become established in the upper Missouri through introduction; however, they also speculated on natural events to explain observed fish distributions.) Trautman (1981) found Pimephales vigilax in bait pails of anglers at Buckeye Lake, Ohio, and later captured a specimen in the lake. However, he added "Despite the recent increase in abundance and unintentional introductions into many sections by bait fishermen there appears to have been no notable recent extension of its range in Ohio." Trautman did note that the specimen taken in 1927 from Lake St. Mary constituted the only known Lake Erie drainage record for Ohio. According to Becker (1983) noted that no voucher specimens are known to substantiate the Menomonee River record (Wisconsin). In apparent conflict with Page and Burr (1991), Underhill (1986) listed this species as native to tributaries of Lake Michigan. Hubbs and Black (1947) noted the taking of a single specimen of "Ceratichthys perspicuus" from a pond in the Osage River system in Kansas. In addition, they reported the finding of at least one specimen of "Ceratichthys tenellus" (now recognized as the slim minnow Pimephales tenellus) from the same station and stated that it also doubtless represented an introduction from the Neosho River system.