Opsopoeodus emiliae Hay, 1881
Pugnose minnow
Opsopoeodus emiliae
photo by Page, L.M.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Pogonichthyinae
Max. size:  6.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Edisto River drainage in South Carolina to southern Florida and across Gulf Slope to Nueces River drainage in Texas, USA; north in Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins to southeastern Kansas, southeastern Minnesota, USA, and southern Ontario, Canada. The subspecies were previously recognized: Opsopoeodus emiliae peninsularis in peninsular Florida and Opsopoeodus emiliae emiliae in rest of range except where intergrades occur (southern Georgia and northeastern Florida west to Ochlockonee River).
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Inhabits clear to turbid vegetated lakes, swamps, oxbows, sluggish streams of all sizes (Ref. 86798). Feeds on insect larvae, filamentous algae and microcrustacea (Ref. 10294). Spawning occurs underneath flat rocks, in cavities; nest spawner (Ref. 79012).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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