Species · GBIF taxon 2359811
Longnose Dace
Rhinichthys cataractaeAlso known as Long-nosed Dace, Rock Minnow
Longnose dace thrive in the turbulent rapids of clear gravel streams across North America, anchoring themselves against strong currents with reduced swim bladders. Their fleshy, overhanging snout allows them to root beneath river stones for aquatic insect larvae like midge and mayfly nymphs. During spring spawning, adults gather in swift gravel riffles where males display reddish coloration around the mouth and fin bases.
FreshwaterBottom DwellerNative Fish
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Mayfly Nymphs
- Midge Larvae
- Caddisfly Larvae
Predators
- Trout
- Smallmouth Bass
- Northern Pike
ThreatsSiltation, damming, water abstraction, and runoff pollution
HabitatsFast-flowing streams, rivers, rocky riffles, and wave-swept shores
Life span4–5 years
Classification
- OrderCypriniformes
- FamilyCyprinidae
- GenusRhinichthys
- SpeciesRhinichthys cataractae
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Polarized Lenses: Wear polarized sunglasses to spot these bottom-dwellers in swift riffles.
- Look in Currents: Search fast-flowing, cobble-bottomed headwaters where they anchor under rocks.
Stream Companion "Creek Chub, Semotilus atromaculatus" by brian.gratwicke is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
Close Relative (c) Tom Kennedy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Kennedy · cc-by
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