Biology

Occurs in lakes, ponds and sluggish pools of headwaters, creeks and small rivers usually over silt and near vegetation. Probably feeds on insects, crustaceans, and plankton (Ref. 1998). Spawning probably occurs in the spring (Ref. 1998). Hybridizes with Phoxinus eos. The hybrids are always females and in some areas are more common that the parental species. Hybrids breed with males of the parental species and consequently can outnumber and even replace one of the parent species.