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

Silver Chub Macrhybopsis storeriana

Family
Leuciscidae (Minnows)
Tolerance
Intermediate
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 32 bioassessment sites, 0 rapid fish bioassessment sites, 13 fisheries assessment sites, and 1 fisheries presence-only assessment site. In total, it was collected at 46 distinct sites, or 3.1% of the 1472 total sites monitored by the bioassessment program. It is the 70th most commonly collected species.

The Silver Chub was collected in 39 bioassessment sampling sessions and 13 fisheries assessment sessions. It was present in 0 rapid bioassessment sessions and 1 presence-only session.

The biological assessment program has collected a total of 325 individual Silver Chub specimens, ranking it the #80 most collected fish.

Species Characteristics

A large, slender minnow with large fins and eyes. A small, horizontal mouth has a barbel at the corner of the jaw. Body color varies from green on the back with purple reflections to bright silvery on the belly. A greenish-colored lateral band runs along the sides from behind the gill covers to the caudal fin. The dorsal fin is inserted in front of the pelvic fin and has 8 rays, as do the anal and pelvic fins. The pectoral fins have 17 rays, and the caudal fin has a distinct, light ventral margin. The complete lateral line has 37 to 40 scales. Hooked pharyngeal teeth are arranged in the formula 1, 4-4, 1, but variations are found.

Species Distribution Maps

HUC12 watersheds where this species has been found