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

Mississippi Silvery Minnow Hybognathus nuchalis

Family
Leuciscidae (Minnows)
Tolerance
Sensitive
Trophic Class
Omnivore
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 35 bioassessment sites, 1 rapid fish bioassessment site, 5 fisheries assessment sites, and 0 fisheries presence-only assessment sites. In total, it was collected at 40 distinct sites, or 2.6% of the 1513 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 72nd most commonly collected species.

The Mississippi Silvery Minnow was collected in 63 bioassessment sampling sessions and 5 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 1 rapid bioassessment session and 0 presence-only sessions.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 3,400 individual Mississippi Silvery Minnow specimens, ranking it the #45 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

Elongate and slightly compressed body. The basioccipital process is broad with a concave tip. The snout overhangs the mouth, which has a blade-like lower jaw and is almost horizontal, but lacks a barbel. Pharyngeal teeth have broad grinding surfaces and are arranged in a 4-4 pattern. The complete lateral line has 37 to 30 scales. Dorsal and pelvic fins have 8 rays, while the anal fin may have 8 or 9 rays, and the pectoral fins have 15 or 16 rays. Coloration is pale-yellow to yellow, overlaid with silver on the back and sides, while the belly is white. A faint and dusky lateral line may be present.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found