Iowa DNR
BioNet
River & Stream Biological Monitoring
Fish and Benthic Macroinvertebrate Surveys
Physical Habitat Assessments

Central Mudminnow Umbra limi

Family
Esocidae (Pikes and Mudminnows)
Tolerance
Tolerant
Trophic Class
Insectivore
Is Exotic to Iowa?
False
Is Lithophilous Spawner?
False
Is Hybrid?
False
State Listing Status
Not Listed
Assessment Program Statistics

This species was found at 21 bioassessment sites, 0 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 3 fisheries assessment sites, and 0 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 24 distinct sites, or 1.6% of the 1513 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 87th most commonly collected species.

The Central Mudminnow was collected in 44 bioassessment sampling sessions and 3 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 0 rapid bioassessment sessions and 0 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 393 individual Central Mudminnow specimens, ranking it the #76 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

A robust-bodied, mottled fish with a short, blunt snout, a short dorsal fin located posteriorly, and large scales over the head and body. The upper part of the body is olive-brown, mottled throughout, with up to 14 indistinct dark brown vertical bars on the sides, and a dark vertical bar at the base of the tail. The belly is yellow to white, and the fins are brownish. The mouth is terminal with a slightly protruding lower jaw. Gill rakers are short and stout, numbering 13 to 15. The dorsal fin has 13 to 15 soft rays, 6 to 7 pelvic fin rays, 14 to 16 pectoral fin rays, 7 to 9 anal fin rays, and all of the fins are rounded on the edges. It reaches a maximum of 5-to 6-inches long, with an average length of about 2 inches or slightly larger.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found