Suckermouth minnow

Characteristics

Formerly named the Plains Suckermouth Minnow, this cyprinid has an olive-green back, dusky-silver sides, and silvery-white belly. Distinctive features are the lower lip, which has thick fleshy projections on each side, and the upper jaw that is separated from the snout by a obvious groove. A greenish lateral band has a faint gold line dorsally and ends in an unique elongated spot. The complete lateral band has 43 to 51 scales. Dorsal and pelvic fins have 8 rays, while the anal has 7 rays, and the pectoral has 14. The snout overhangs a sub-terminal mouth, and there is no barbel. Slightly hooked pharyngeal teeth are supported on slender arches and arranged in a 4-4 pattern.

Distribution

Throughout the entire state; most abundant in the Des Moines River basin.

Foods

Insect larvae

State Record

State Records are not documented for non-game species.

Expert Tip

None

Details

This minnow lives in the clean riffles and runs of large creeks and small rivers, where bottom material is made of gravel, sand or bed rock. Adults are 4- to 5-inches long and spawn in May and June.

Recent stream sampling information is available from Iowa DNR's biological monitoring and assessment program.