Following is a list of minnows found in Iowa. Links with more information is provided for the majority of fish listed. Photos and/or distribution maps are not available for a few species, so links are not provided for these fish.

The Cyprinidae family is the most diverse and dynamic group of fishes in Iowa and perhaps the world. Members of this family can be found in all of our rivers and streams and in most lakes. Their range of environmental tolerance varies from those that are on the very extremes of their natural continental distribution and are threatened with extirpation through habitat alteration and destruction to those which have taken advantage of habitat modifications and have expanding distribution and abundance. Minnows form the basis of our natural stream fish fauna, and they have filled most of the habitat niches through evolution and natural selection.

Most small fishes, regardless of species, are erroneously called "minnows", which leads to misidentification. Cyprinids are small in size, rarely reaching more than 12 inches in length -- even as adults. Not all members of the minnow family are small, however; fishes such as carp, goldfish, and white amur attain a size which ranks with the largest freshwater fishes.

Cyprinids share several common taxonomic characters, which separate them from the other fish families. External features include: scaleless head, toothless jaws, lack of adipose fin, lack of appendages at the base of the pelvic fins, and a single, soft dorsal fin in native species that has less than 10 rays. Internal anatomical features are: cyprinids have fewer than 10 teeth in any row on the pharyngeal arch, an enlarged intestine instead of a true stomach, and a series of bones called weberian ossicle that form a rudimentary ear.

The list of freshwater fishes in the United States and Canada contains 754 species, of which the largest group is Cyprinidae, and has 221 species in 43 genera. Currently, the minnow fauna in Iowa consists of 50 species and 2 subspecies grouped into 16 genera, of which 47 are native and 3 are exotic.

Minnow abundance varies greatly within the diverse geographical locations across this state. Each cyprinid, like all fish, has a range of environmental and habitat requirements which are paramount to its integrity as a viable population. Several of the minnows have been unable to adapt to changing habitats -- so they have perished or are threatened with extirpation from our waters. The redside dace, sturgeon chub, and ironcolor shiner have been extirpated, while the sicklefin chub, lake chub, blacknose shiner, and silverband shiner have lost most of their distinct habitat and are endangered. Habitats of the gravel chub, pugnose shiner, weed shiner, topeka shiner, southern redbelly dace, and pugnose minnow is continuously shrinking and their existence is threatened. Geological history originally formed the basics for minnow distribution and abundance, but man, through his treatment of the land and constant modification of stream courses, has dramatically changed stream and lake habitats and, as a result, has altered the fish fauna.

The role of the cyprinids in the scheme of aquatic life is manifold. Each species occupies a niche and performs a distinct function within the ecosystem. Many are primary consumers, feeding on bottom ooze, algae, or aquatic plants, while others are secondary consumers, ingesting zooplankton, crustaceans, insects, worms, and other minnows. The cyprinids themselves become forage for tertiary consumers, such as predatory birds, mammals and fishes. In the final analysis, most of the game fishes which are the favorite of anglers depend on minnow prey in their diet. Most anglers, at one time or another, utilize cyprinids as bait minnows. The favorites are fathead minnow, bullhead minnow, golden shiner, common shiner, red shiner, spotfin shiner, stoneroller, creek chub, brassy minnow and bigmouth shiner. Many Iowa businesses benefit from the minnow family directly through minnow sales and indirectly by using minnow products.

Several cyprinids serve as food for humans, and some have industrial value as food additives in the formulation of livestock feeds. Carp are particularly important as a commercial food-fish, and their sport value seems on the increase. Creek chub, hornyhead chub, common shiner, and golden shiner have provided many hours of fishing recreation, particularly for kids.

The vivid color and physical hardiness of many minnows make them suitable for hobby aquariums; goldfish have been the most used, but several others are gaining in popularity.

Because of their small body size and only slight differences in external characteristics, cyprinids are among the most difficult of our fish fauna to identify. Familiarity with such taxonomic terms as barbel, pharyngeal teeth, eye to head ratio, fin ray counts, lateral line scales, mouth angle, peritoneum color, gut length, and scale elevation is necessary to master the art of "keying" minnows. Studying minnows is tedious, but fortunately it is also most enjoyable and stimulating. Anyone interested in species identification and study of the Cyprinids should become familiar with a copy of several excellent text books that are available from bookstores and libraries.

*Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp.