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Rhinichthys cataractae

(Great Lakes Longnose Dace, Longnose Dace, Whiptail Gulper)

Overview:

Endangered

Threat status

Widely used as bait in the USA (Ref. 1998).

Conservation Status

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Population Analysis

  • For the 21,541 species in the Class Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes), we average 36.49 observations each in our database; for the Great Lakes Longnose Dace, we have 1,282 observations. Compared to other species in this Class, this species is moderately common.
  • A two-sample t-test can be used to determine whether the trend in observations of the Great Lakes Longnose Dace is the same as the trend in observations of Osteichthyes. Is this species just as common, as a proportion of all observations, as it once was? The answer is no, changes in observation rate of this species significantly differ from changes in observation rate of its Class. (t=12.794, p<0.001)
  • How do observation rates of the Great Lakes Longnose Dace differ from those of Osteichthyes? To answer this, we examined the percentage of observerations for Osteichthyes that were observations of the Great Lakes Longnose Dace each year. We then correlated this percentage with observation year. If observations of the Great Lakes Longnose Dace are becoming more common relative to other species of Osteichthyes, the correlation should be positive, but if it is becoming less common, the correlation should be negative. In fact, the correlation is negative (r=-.55), with a negative slope (m = -.007), suggesting that the Great Lakes Longnose Dace may be in decline relative to other species of Osteichthyes. This correlation is statistically significant. (F = 50.57, p<.05)
  • The scatter chart to the right shows the percentage of all observations for Osteichthyes each year that were observations of the Great Lakes Longnose Dace.

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC): Species in British Columbia designated Endangered by COSEWIC, May 2000.

Threat status

Species at Risk Act (SARA) Public Registry: Species in British Columbia designated Endangered under the Species at Risk Act.

Threat status

Taxonomy

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  • Domain: Eukaryota Whittaker & Margulis,1978 - eukaryotes

Unambiguous Synonyms:

  1. Gobio cataractae Valenciennes, 1842
  2. Rhinichthys cataractae subsp. cataractae (Valenciennes, 1842)
  3. Rhinichthys cataractae subsp. smithi Nichols, 1916
  4. Rhinichthys marmoratus Agassiz, 1850

Notes:

Name Status: Accepted Name.

Family: Minnows or carps.

Hybrids: Longnose dace X creek chub; longnose dace X common shiner; longnose dace X central stoneroller; longnose dace X largescale stoneroller.

Physical Description

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Family Cyprinidae:

Distribution: North America (northern Canada to southern Mexico), Africa, and Eurasia. Pharynx with 1-3 rows of teeth, each row with a maximum of 8 teeth. Usually thin lips, plicae or papillae absent; mouth sometimes suckerlike (Garra and Labeo). With or without barbels. Premaxilla usually borders the upper jaw making the maxilla entirely or almost entirely excluded from the gape. Usually protrusible upper jaw. Dorsal fin with spinelike rays in some. Primitive number of chromosomes 2n=50, some with 48; polyploidy exists. Maximum length at least 2.5 m to probably 3 m in Catlocarpio siamensis; many species less than 5 cm. Mainly non-guarders, but in some species males build nests and/or protect the eggs.

The family Cyprinidae belongs to the Class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and the Order Cypriniformes. It contains 210 genera and 2010 species. It may be found in Brackish, and Freshwater environments and is primarily Primary freshwater. Many members of this family are used in the aquarium trade. Reproductively, most members of this family are nonguarders. The main mode of swimming of adult fish in this family is subcarangiform. Compared with other fish, the activity level of this family tends to be normal. Members of this family have been dated back to the Eocene epoch of the Tertiary period. This family may be found from 70° n to 34° s and 150° w to 170° e. Etymology of this family name: Greek, kyprinos = goldfish.

Species Rhinichthys cataractae:

Body: Mouth and Snout: Mouth inferior without any teeth. Inconspicuous barbels at corners of the mouth. Thick fleshy lips with frenum connecting snout with lip. Snout greatly overhangs mouth. Body Pattern: Sides brown, dark olive, or dark gray with darker blotches and mottling often coalescing into an irregular lateral stripe anteriorly. Cream, silvery or yellow-white belly. Fins pigmented. Body Shape: Fusiform and elongate, almost round in cross-section with ventral area slightly dorso-ventrally flattened. Typical adult size is 75-100 mm TL (3-4 in), with a maximum of about 140 mm (5.5 in).

Fins: Forked tail. Single dorsal fin with 8 rays and no spines. Pelvic fins abdominal. No adipose fin. Anal fin with 7 rays and no spines.

Distinguishing characteristics: Inferior mouth with fleshy lips and inconspicuous barbels at the corners. Frenum connection upper lip to snout. Compaired to blacknose dace, snout greatly overhangs mouth and body is less deep and more elongated. 61-75 cycloid lateral scales. About 54 scale rows around body. See also similar species information.

Breeding adults: Males have small tubercles on head, scales, and pectoral. Both sexes get salmon, orange, or yellowish pigment around mouth, cheek, base of pectoral, pelvic, and caudal fin.

Juveniles: Similar to adults, but typically lateral stripe more pronouced, caudal spot present.

Images:

Distribution

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Aquatic Regions

North America: widely occurs from coast to coast of north-central North America: in the east along the mountains to Virginia; in the Mississippi drainage south to Iowa; in the western basin south to northern Mexico; reported from northeastern Nevada; in the inshore waters in all the Great Lakes[1].

Habitat

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Inhabit rubble and gravel riffles (sometimes runs and pools) of fast creeks and small to medium rivers; also in rocky shores of lakes[2]. Young up to 4 months are pelagic[3].

Biome

Fresh water. Demersal.

Diet

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Feed on mayflies, blackflies, and midges[4].

Reproduction

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Spawn over pits in loose gravel substrate[5]. Artificially propagated in Minnesota, USA in long narrow ponds having weak water flow[6].

Behavior

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Form schools[7].

Similar Species

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Fish Name Mouth Barbels Body Pattern Lateral Line Scales Circumferential Scales Dorsal Rays Similarity Index Comment
Western Blacknose Dace Subterminal mouth; thick fleshy lips; frenum present Inconspicuous Mottled and/or lateral stripe 60-75 ~ 52 8 Very similar
Central Stoneroller Subterminal mouth; ridge on lower jaw; no frenum None Mottled and/or lateral stripe 47-58 38-50 8 Moderately similar
Gravel Chub Subterminal mouth; thin fleshy lips; no frenum Inconspicuous X, W, & Y markings 38-43 ~ 32 8 Moderately similar
Largescale Stoneroller Subterminal mouth; ridge on lower jaw; no frenum None Mottled and/or lateral stripe 41-48 29-38 8 Moderately similar
Longnose Dace Inferior mouth; thick fleshy lips; frenum present Inconspicuous Mottled and/or lateral strip 61-75 ~ 54 8 N/A
Silver Chub Subterminal mouth; thin fleshy lips; no frenum Inconspicuous Solid silver 37-47 ~ 28 8 Moderately similar
Shoal Chub Inferior mouth; thin fleshy lips; no frenum Short but conspicuous Pepper-like spots 36-40 ~ 28 8 Moderately similar
Suckermouth Minnow Inferior mouth; thick fleshy lips; no frenum None Lateral stripe (may be faint) 43-51 ~ 34 8 Moderately similar
White Sucker Inferior mouth; thick fleshy lips; no frenum None Solid, spotted, or mottled 39-115 ~32-~90 9-15 Moderately similar All suckers at the juvenile stage (Catostomidae: Catostomus, Hypentelium, Minytrema, Moxostoma) are moderately similar and all criteria as described for the white sucker apply.

Members of the genus Rhinichthys:

There are approximately 83 species and subspecies in this genus: R. adobe · R. arenatus · R. artatulus · R. asculus · R. ateonasus · R. atratulus (Blacknose Dace) · R. atratulus atratulus · R. atratulus atrorus · R. atratulus dulcis · R. atratulus lunatus · R. atratulus meleagris · R. atratulus obtusus (Blacknose Dace) · R. atronasus · R. atronasus atronasus · R. atronasus dulcis · R. atronasus lunatus · R. atronasus meleagris · R. atronasus obtusus · R. atronosus · R. atrtatulus · R. badius · R. balteatus · R. cararactae · R. cataphracta · R. cataractae (Great Lakes Longnose Dace) · R. cataractae cataractae · R. cataractae dukis · R. cataractae dulcis · R. cataractae duleis · R. cataractae maxillosus · R. cataractae nasotus · R. cataractae ocella · R. cataractae smithi · R. cataractae x · R. cataractai (Lavender Lizardfish) · R. chrysogaster (Longfin Dace) · R. cobitis (Loach Minnow) · R. croceus · R. deaconi (Las Vagas Dace) · R. dulcis · R. evermanni (Umpqua Dace) · R. falcata · R. falcatus (Leopard Dace) · R. hybrid · R. intergrade · R. intergrade x · R. klamathensis · R. lunatus · R. luteus · R. maxillosus · R. nasutus · R. nevadensis · R. nubilis robustus · R. nubilus carringtoni · R. nubilus klamathensis · R. nubilus nubila · R. nubilus virginia · R. obturus · R. obtusus (Naseux Noir De L'ouest) · R. ocella · R. osculus (Speckled Dace) · R. osculus adobe · R. osculus carringtonii (Pacific Speckled Dace) · R. osculus klamathensis · R. osculus lariversi (Spotted Dace) · R. osculus lethoporus (Independence Valley Speckled Dace) · R. osculus moapae (Moapa Speckled Dace) · R. osculus nevadensis (Ash Meadows Speckled Dace) · R. osculus nubila · R. osculus nubilis · R. osculus nubula · R. osculus oligoporus (Clover Valley Speckled Dace) · R. osculus osculus · R. osculus reliquus (Grass Valley Speckled Dace) · R. osculus robustus · R. osculus thermalis (Kendall Warm Springs Dace) · R. osculus velifer (Pahranagat Speckled Dace) · R. osculus yarrowi (Speckled Dace) · R. robusta · R. sp · R. stratulus · R. umatilla (Umatilla Dace) · R. velifera

Bibliography

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  • Banks, R. C., R. W. McDiarmid, A. L. Gardner, and W. C. Starnes 2003. Checklist of Vertebrates of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and Canada.
  • Eschmeyer, William N., ed. 1998. Catalog of Fishes. Special Publication of the Center for Biodiversity Research and Information, no. 1, vol 1-3. California Academy of Sciences. San Francisco, California, USA. 2905. ISBN: 0-940228-47-5.
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) (1990). 1990 IUCN red list of threatened animals. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K. 288 p.
  • Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr (1991). A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
  • Robins, Richard C., Reeve M. Bailey, Carl E. Bond, James R. Brooker, Ernest A. Lachner, et al. 1980. A List of Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States and Canada, Fourth Edition. American Fisheries Society Special Publication, no. 12. American Fisheries Society. Bethesda, Maryland, USA. 174.
  • Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman (1973). Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184:1-966.

More Info

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Notes

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Contributors:

  • Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-2006. Systema Naturae 2000. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Accessed November 2, 2006.
  • Brands, S.J. (comp.) 1989-2007. Systema Naturae 2000. The Taxonomicon. Universal Taxonomic Services, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Accessed March 20, 2007.
  • Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Accessed March 18, 2008. http://www.gbif.org Mediated distribution data from provider.
  • Kullander, Sven O. (from FishBase).
  • Lyons, John. WiscFish.org University of Wisconsin, Center for Limnology, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant. Provided photos, physical description, and table comparing similar species.
  • Species At Risk Act Public Registry, Government of Canada

Data Sources:

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal March 04, 2008:

  • Burke Museum: University of Washington Fish Collection
  • Canadian Museum of Nature: Canadian Museum of Nature Fish Collection
  • Cornell University Museum of Vertebrates: Fish Collection
  • FishBase: FishBase DiGIR Provider - Philippine Server
  • GBIF-Sweden: Fishes (NRM)
  • Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University: Atlantic Reference Centre (OBIS Canada)
  • Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences, Rutgers University: Canadian Museum of Nature - Fish Collection (OBIS Canada)
  • Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University: MCZ Fish Collection
  • Royal Ontario Museum: Fish specimens
  • Sternberg Museum of Natural History: Fish Collection
  • University of Colorado Museum: Zoological specimens
  • University of Kansas Biodiversity Research Center: Fish Collection
  • University of Minnesota Bell Museum of Natural History: Fish specimens

Identifiers:

Footnotes:

  1. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman (1973). Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184:1-966.
  2. Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr (1991). A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
  3. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman (1973). Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184:1-966.
  4. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman (1973). Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184:1-966.
  5. "Artemisia douglasiana". in Flora of North America Vol. 19, 20 and 21 Page 522, 524, 533. Oxford University Press. Online at EFloras.org.
  6. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman (1973). Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184:1-966.
  7. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Crossman (1973). Freshwater fishes of Canada. Bull. Fish. Res. Board Can. 184:1-966.

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Last Revised: May 19, 2008