Family: Cyprinidae, Carps and Minnows view all from this family

Description To 3 1/2" (9 cm). Elongate, moderately robust; yellow-olive to dark brown above with black blotches; dusky to dark midlateral stripe from snout to caudal fin base. Snout long; mouth small, subterminal, horizontal; barbels present. Fins small, rounded; 8 dorsal fin rays, origin behind pelvic fin insertion, 7 anal fin rays; caudal fin shallowly forked. Lateral line complete, with 56-71 scales.

Habitat Springs and cool, clear creeks with moderate to swift current over gravel or rocks.

Range Nova Scotia west to Manitoba; New England south to NW. South Carolina, N. Georgia, and N. Alabama and west to E. North Dakota and E. Nebraska.

Discussion The Blacknose Dace spawns during the spring and early summer in riffles over shallow gravel. Most daces spawn at 2 years and live for 3 or 4 years. Aquatic insect larvae are their primary food.