Minnows are good listeners, they can listen to natural sounds underwater with low oxygen levels and save themselves from approaching danger, however they have poor eyesight.  They use various chemicals and body displays for communication.  They are slow swimmers and are often captured by other fish. A baby minnow is called a fry and live in lakes or ponds. They also grow at a rapid speed and, after 45 days, look similar to adults.  The minnow life cycle is short. The life expectancy of minnows is 2-2.5 years.  Minnows are used as bait fish or feeder fish to catch bigger fish, they are not eaten by humans, however, a minnow fry sounds delicious.