Sheepshead Minnow

Cyprinodon variegatus is a coastal relative of the toothcarps, in the same genus as the desert spring fish (pupfish). It lives in salt marshes, estuaries and lagoons and can tolerate salinities from fresh water to several times that of seawater. It is recognized by its stocky, laterally compressed body and small mouth. In the breeding season the males' nape turns steel blue and their cheeks and belly salmon-orange; females are dark-banded and carry a dark spot at the rear end of the dorsal fin. Males set up small territories on the bottom, and females lay their eggs on the substrate and plants in these territories.

• At least 60 liters for one male and two to three females.
• Brackish water: a salinity of roughly a quarter to a half of seawater.
• Sand substrate, rocks and salt-tolerant plants; space for the males to set up territories.
• A heater is usually not needed; 18–26°C is ideal; a tight lid.

Omnivorous. It is fed algae, spirulina flakes, brine shrimp and mysis shrimp; it forages for food on the substrate.

Males are very territorial in the breeding season and rough with their own species. Otherwise it is a calm and hardy fish.

Good companions: a group of its own species; calm species of its own size suited to brackish water.

Avoid: freshwater community fish (salt incompatibility), small and timid species.