Captive Care Notes: Cutlip Minnows (Exoglossum, Family Cyprinidae)

Cutlip Minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua) can be kept in aquaria without eliciting their eye-picking behavior; simply keep the fish density low, with no more than one cutlips minnow per gallon. One account notes that captive Cutlip Minnow will pick at the wounds of other fishes, and binge on eyes if underfed. Fortunately, feeding them is not a problem. They're constantly in search for food at the bottom of the tank, but quickly learn to feed from the surface, accepting both prepared and living items. Avoid keeping them with shy or slower-moving species. Maintaining a small group should confine any bickering to amongst themselves.

The Cutlip Minnow has spawned in captivity. Buynak and Mohr (1980) report collecting adults during the breeding season and placing them into a 1.8 x 0.5 x 0.4 m (72 x 20 x 16 in) trough with 7.6 cm (3 in) of pea-sized gravel. Current was simulated by continuously recirculating water through the trough. The minnows built nests and spawned. Eggs were moved to an egg-hatching aquarium. Larvae were fed live brine shrimp and a powdered dry commercial fish food. As the larvae grew, they were given a more granular fish food.