Ozark minnow (Notropis nubilus)

Description

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Ozark minnow fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Ozark minnow description

A small, slender fish with an almost round body ^{(2) (3)}, the Ozark minnow (Notropis nubilus) is dusky yellow to olive above, with dark-edged scales and a distinctive dark stripe that extends from the tip of the snout to a faint spot at the base of the tail fin. It has dull silvery sides and a silvery-white belly ^{(3) (4) (5) (6) (7)}. The mouth is positioned at the tip of the blunt snout, and the Ozark minnow also has prominent eyes that appear large in proportion to the head ⁽⁴⁾.

Breeding Ozark minnows develop a yellowish-orange colouration on the underside of the body and on the fins ^{(3) (4)}. Male Ozark minnows are more brightly coloured than the female during the breeding season, and may also develop pronounced tubercles on the head and fins ^{(3) (6)}.

Size

Length: 5.6 - 7.5 cm ⁽²⁾

Ozark minnow biology

In most parts of its range, the Ozark minnow spawns between late April and early July, although it may continue through to early August in Wisconsin ^{(2) (8)}. This species schools near the bottom of shallow waters, and often forms spawning aggregations numbering several hundred individuals ^{(2) (3) (6) (8)}.

Spawning generally lasts for around one minute, during which time the Ozark minnow will vibrate vigorously against the substrate and other fish in the group ⁽⁶⁾. The eggs are often laid in or over the nests of the horneyhead chub (Nocomis bigguttatus) ^{(6) (7) (8)}. 

The Ozark minnow feeds on a variety of algae and other plant material ^{(2) (7) (8)}. Its diet may occasionally include small insect larvae and crustaceans ⁽³⁾.

Ozark minnow range

Found only in the U.S., the Ozark minnow occurs in the Red Cedar River system in northern Wisconsin and the Mississippi River tributaries in southern Wisconsin ⁽⁸⁾, as well as the Zumbro, Root, and Cedar rivers in southeast Minnesota ⁽³⁾. It is also found in north and central Arkansas ⁽⁶⁾, Iowa, Missouri and northeast Oklahoma ^{(5) (8)}.

Ozark minnow habitat

The Ozark minnow is most abundant in creeks and small-to-medium-sized streams or rivers with clear waters and gravelly or rocky bottoms. It is often found in pools and protected backwaters near riffles, in areas where the water is free of debris and vegetation ^{(2) (7) (8) (9)}.

Ozark minnow status

The Ozark minnow has not yet been classified by the IUCN.

Ozark minnow threats

Habitat degradation from heavy agricultural land use is the primary threat to the Ozark minnow ^{(2) (3)}. This species is intolerant of excessive turbidity and siltation caused by pollution, sedimentation and agricultural runoff and, as a result, the Ozark minnow has declined in parts if its range ^{(2) (9)}.

Many populations of the Ozark minnow are isolated from each other, meaning that this species is vulnerable to catastrophic events which may cause local population declines, such as natural disasters or disease ⁽³⁾.

Habitat degradation from heavy agricultural land use is the primary threat to the Ozark minnow ^{(2) (3)}. This species is intolerant of excessive turbidity and siltation caused by pollution, sedimentation and agricultural runoff and, as a result, the Ozark minnow has declined in parts if its range ^{(2) (9)}.

Many populations of the Ozark minnow are isolated from each other, meaning that this species is vulnerable to catastrophic events which may cause local population declines, such as natural disasters or disease ⁽³⁾. 

Ozark minnow conservation

The Ozark minnow is classified as Threatened in Wisconsin ⁽²⁾.

Recommended conservation measures for this species include protecting and restoring its habitat, as well conducting further research on its status and biology ^{(2) (3)}. Controlling pollution, erosion and agricultural runoff where the Ozark minnow occurs will also benefit its conservation ⁽²⁾.

Find out more

For more information on the Ozark minnow:

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:
  http://dnr.wi.gov/ORG/LAND/ER/biodiversity/index.asp?mode=info&Grp=13&SpecCode=AFCJB28680

Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

Algae

Simple plants that lack roots, stems and leaves but contain the green pigment chlorophyll. Most occur in marine and freshwater habitats.

Crustaceans

Diverse group of arthropods (a phylum of animals with jointed limbs and a hard chitinous exoskeleton) characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, woodlice and barnacles.

Larvae

Stage in an animal’s lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.

Riffles

Light rapids where water flows across a shallow section of river.

Spawning

The production or depositing of large quantities of eggs in water.

Tubercle

A small, rounded, wart-like bump on the skin or on a bone.

References

1. IUCN Red List (July, 2011)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Ozark minnow (July, 2011)
   http://dnr.wi.gov/ORG/LAND/ER/biodiversity/index.asp?mode=info&Grp=13&SpecCode=AFCJB28680
3. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources - Ozark minnow (July, 2011)
   http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/rsg/profile.html?action=elementDetail&selectedElement=AFCJB28680
4. Iowa Department of Natural Resources - Ozark minnow (July, 2011)
   http://www.iowadnr.gov/education/files/ozrkmnw.pdf
5. Audubon Guides - Ozark minnow (July, 2011)
   http://www.audubonguides.com/species/Fish/Ozark-Minnow.html
6. Robison, H.W. and Buchanan, T.M. (1988) Fishes of Arkansas. University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
7. Missouri Department of Conservation - Ozark minnow (July, 2011)  
   http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/ozark-minnow
8. Nature Serve Explorer - Ozark minnow (July, 2011)
   http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Notropis%20nubilus
9. Iowa Fish Atlas - Ozark minnow (July, 2011)
   http://www.iowagis.org/iris/fishatlas/IA163456.html