Rhinichthys osculus (Girard, 1856)
Speckled dace
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Pogonichthyinae
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; pH range: 6.80000019073486 - 7.80000019073486; dH range: 5 - 25
Distribution:  North America: western drainages (Pacific and endorheic) from Columbia River in British Columbia, Canada to Colorado River in Arizona and New Mexico, USA and south into Sonora, Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 6-7; Vertebrae: 37-38. Body elongate, greatest depth in front of dorsal fin. Head bluntly triangular, a small but distinct hump present behind the head. Mouth inferior, sucker-like, lower jaw with fleshy lip. Overall coloration gray or gray-brown with scattered and vague darker flecks, usually above midline of sides; lower sides and belly somewhat yellowish or creamy white. A faint lateral band present.
Biology:  Occurs in rocky riffles, runs and pools of headwaters, creeks and small to medium rivers; rarely in lakes (Ref. 5723, 86798).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 10 September 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:   
 


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