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Wildlife Longnose Dace Page
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 Photo by: John Woodling |
Longnose Dace
Rhinichthys cataractae
Habitat: The species is usually found in riffle areas of streams that have a rubble or gravel substrate. In the eastern plains areas of the South Platte, riffle areas of sand and gravel provide adequate habitat. Young are restricted to areas of shallow water and moderate current. Usually found in clean, clear waters, populations are found in some areas of high organic enrichment.
Description: A streamlined, torpedo-shaped minnow; mouth inferior, overhung by snout, frenum present, small barbel hidden by a fold of skin at each corner of mouth; dorsal fin with 8 rays; lateral line complete and nearly straight, peritoneum is silver with brown specks.Coloration of adults varies. The back is tan to brown, fading to white on the stomach with dark speckles often present on back and sides. Breeding-colored males have red-orange on the corners of mouth, cheeks, and fins. The longnose dace is much like the speckled dace (see next species account). The longnose dace is a small minnow seldom exceeding 3.5 inches.
Range in Colorado: In Colorado, the species is native to the Arkansas River, Rio Grande, the Platte river system (Ellis 1914) and the Republican River (Cancalosi 1980). Propst (1982) found longnose dace in the transition zone streams of the South Platte as well as the mainstem river from the foothills to the Nebraska border, and in the North Platte drainage. Status: This species is not listed.
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Species Occurrence Tool
(*) NDIS has no county occurrence data for fish at this time.
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