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Hardhead, Mylopharodon conocephalus
		Appearance and Identification: · Large minnows, sometimes greater than 60 cm SL, rarely exceed 30 cm in smaller streams. · Slender, deeper bodied and pointier snout than Sacramento Pikeminnow · Maxilla doesn’t extend past front margin of eye, has frenum connecting upper lip to snout · Coloration: brown or dusky bronze back, silvery sides · Young fish silver in color · Breeding males may develop white tubercles along snout and laterally along body · Fin rays: dorsal 8, anal 8-9 · Lateral line scales: 69-81
Life History:
		Hardhead are typically found in small to large streams in a low to mid-elevation environment. Hardhead may also inhabit lakes or reservoirs. All ages are omnivores though the juvenile and adult fish have a slightly different diet and tooth structure for feeding. In general these fish will eat benthic invertebrates, aquatic plants and algae, or insects. The young fish typically feed on mayfly and caddisfly larvae, as well as small snails. Older fish may focus on plants, crayfish, and larger invertebrates. In a lake environment the fish may also feed on zooplankton. Within a stream Hardheads tend to prefer warmer temperatures than salmonids and they are often found associated with pikeminnows and suckers. Their preferred stream temperature might easily exceed 20ºC, though these fish do not favor low dissolved oxygen levels. Therefore the hardhead minnow is usually found in clear deep streams with a slow but present flow. Most hardheads reach sexual maturity at 3 years and spawn in the spring around May and April, though spawning may take place as late as August. In small streams Hardhead tend to spawn near their resident pools, while fish in larger rivers or lakes often move up to 30-75 km to find suitable spawning grounds. Though spawning may occur in pools, runs, or riffles, the bedding area will typically be characterized by gravel and rocky substrate. Females usually produce 7,000-24,000 eggs per year, though some fisheries biologists believe that the eggs may take two years to develop within the female. Upon hatching, young larval hardheads remain under vegetative cover along stream or lake margins. As the juveniles grow they may move to deeper water or be swept downstream to larger rivers below. Adult Hardheads may live up to 9 or 10 years.
Links to Other Research
	Here's a list of California watersheds where Hardhead may be found. © 2003 - Regents of the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Communication Services E-Mail Web Master ANR Non-Discrimination Statement