Fish Iowa - Fish Species - 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.

Foods

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Expert Tip

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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.

State Record(s)

Master Angler Catches