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💧 Freshwater Least Concern 🍽️ Edible 🌡️ Subtropical

Longnose dace

Rhinichthys cataractae Valenciennes, 1842
Max Length
22.5 cm
Max Weight
Lifespan
5 yrs
Trophic Level
3.2
Depth
Climate
Subtropical
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
35.00/100
Typical Length
9.5 cm
Depth Zone
demersal

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit rubble and gravel riffles (sometimes runs and pools) of fast creeks and small to medium rivers as well as rocky shores of lakes . Young up to 4 months are pelagic . Adults form schools and feed on mayflies, blackflies, and midges . Spawning takes place over pits in loose gravel substrate . Widely used as bait in the USA . Artificially propagated in Minnesota, USA in long narrow ponds having weak water flow .

Scientific Name
Rhinichthys cataractae
Authority
Valenciennes, 1842
Habitat
Freshwater
Climate
Subtropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
22.5 cm
Lifespan
5 years
Trophic Level
3.2
Resilience
Medium
Vulnerability
35.00/100
Migration
Potamodromous
Water Temp
4–16 °C
Salinity
0–0.5 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Vertebrae: 40 - 42. Absence of a groove between the upper lip and tip of snout. Barbel present. Snout long and overhanging.: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Longnose dace is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Longnose dace is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

Spawn Location
Gravel
Size at Maturity
8.1cm TL

Ovarian development probably of the group-synchronous type. Fecundity is determinate based on release of great majority of oocytes in a given spawning season, few signs of atretic oocytes and oocyte diameter distribution points to lack of substantial production of new oocytes . Spawn on rock and gravel. Larvae benthic . According to a study , although no nest is built, a territory is established and one parent guards the nest. In Manitoba, females lay 200-1200 transparent eggs hatching in 7-10 days at 15.6°C. Young are pelagic and inhabit quiet waters inshore; pelagic stage lasts 4 months before typical bottom dwelling existence of adults commence (Ref 1998). Spawn in riffles over gravelly bottom near nest of river chub.

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Freshwater; demersal; pH range: ? - 7.0; dH range: 10 - 15; potamodromous . Subtropical; 4°C - 16°C ; 69°N - 28°N North America: distributed above 40°N from coast to coast; as far north as Arctic Circle in Mackenzie River drainage; south in Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia and in Rocky Mountains south into Rio Grande drainage of Texas and northern Mexico.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
💧 Freshwater ⬇️ Benthic
Migration
Potamodromous
Trophic Level
3.2±0.4
🐠 Schooling
Food Items

mayflies, blackflies, and midges (Ref

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00724 × L3.15 (TL)
Max TL
22.5cm
Vertebrae
41

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Temperature Range
4–16°C
Salinity Range
0–0.5ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2018

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
Medium
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
35.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.2
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Described By
Valenciennes, 1842

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Longnose dace is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Detailed nutritional data for Longnose dace is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Longnose dace has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Argyreus dulcis Girard 1856 Synonym
Gobio cataractae Valenciennes 1842 Synonym
Leuciscus nasutus Ayres 1843 Synonym
Rhinichthys cataractae cataractae Valenciennes 1842 Synonym
Rhinichthys cataractae dulcis Girard 1856 Synonym
Rhinichthys cataractae ocella Garman 1881 Synonym
Rhinichthys cataractae smithi Nichols 1916 Synonym
Rhinichthys luteus Garman 1881 Synonym
Rhinichthys marmoratus Agassiz 1850 Synonym
Rhinichthys maxillosus Cope 1865 Synonym
Rhinichthys ocella Garman 1881 Synonym
Rhinichthys transmontanus Cope 1879 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) — 540 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

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