Ozark Minnow (Notropis nubilus)

Status: State Threatened (1972).

Occurrence: Mississippi River drainage basin in the following southern tier counties: Grant, Green, Iowa, LaFayette, Rock, Walworth. Plus records from the Red Cedar River basin in Dunn and Washburn counties. A map outlining Pre-1977 and 1997 to Present Distribution is available.

Aid to ID: Slim, almost round body with prominent black lateral stripe extending to snout tip. Back and upper sides dark olive yellow, belly silvery white. Shiner-like in appearance, but has a long and coiled gut (at least twice the fish's average body length). Adult length: 2.2-3.0 inches (56-75 mm).

Habitat: Prefer clear, small-to-medium-sized streams with slow current and devoid of vegetation. Often seen in protected backwaters near riffles or in pools immediately below riffles where the current slackens and bottom is gravel or rubble.

Food Habits: Ozark minnows eat mainly green algae, blue-green algae and diatoms.

Natural History: School near the bottom in shallow water, less than 8" (30 cm), over gravel. Lay eggs in nests of the horneyhead chub (Nocomis biguttatus), and also frequently hybridize with shiners.

Management Considerations: Ozark minnows are intolerant of excessive turbidity and siltation. Heavy agricultural use within its range poses threats to their viability. See summary fish management section.

Information compiled from publication ER-091.