The humble fathead is a small, dusky and silvery minnow species. This fish is very adaptable and is often the dominant fish species where other species can't survive. This is the most popular bait species in the USA, with the juvenile fatheads being sold as "Crappie Minnows", the adults as "Fatheads" or "Pike Minnows", and special golden/albino strains sold as "Rosy Reds." These are nest-building minnows, where the male (who changes color dramatically during the breeding season) will fiercely defend the nest from much larger enemies, Watching the tiny fathead male attack any and all encroaching bass, turtles, or pike is pretty entertaining.