Estimating Fork Lengths of Fathead Minnows, Pimephales promelas, from Measurement of Pharyngeal Arches

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Abstract
The pharyngeal arches of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) are persistent in the gut of juvenile walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum). The relationship of fork length to GAP (chord length between the dorsal and vental extremities of the left pharyngeal arch) measurements of left pharyngeal arches of fathead minnows is linear, positive, and highly significant. Fish lengths calculated from arches recovered from stomach after a period of up to 8 h generally fell within the prediction intervals established for the regression of fork lengths on arch measurements of freshly killed minnows. The relationship between length and arch measurement will permit the length of ingested fathead minnows to be calculated aiding in food size selection and energetic studies. Other minnow species, sharing the same habitats with fathead minnows, have distinctive pharyngeal arches which can be used to identify species in stomach contents. Length may also be correlated with pharyngeal arch measurements in these species.
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