Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Leuciscidae (Minnows) > Pogonichthyinae
Etymology: Rhinichthys: Greek, rhinos = nose + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref. 45335); osculus: osculus meaning small-mouthed (Ref. 1998).
More on author: Girard.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; demersal; pH range: 6.8 - 7.8; dH range: 5 - 25. Temperate; 9°C - 11°C (Ref. 3672); 49°N - 31°N
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.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 86798); common length : 6.3 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 12193)
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 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.
Body shape (shape guide): elongated; Cross section: compressed.
Occurs in rocky riffles, runs and pools of headwaters, creeks and small to medium rivers; rarely in lakes (Ref. 5723, 86798).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 2011. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 663p. (Ref. 86798)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Bait: usually
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