The Iowa distribution of the longnose dace is confined to the extreme northeast corner of the state. Collections have been recorded in the Upper Iowa, Yellow, Turkey, Volga, and the upper reaches of the Maquoketa rivers, where they are common in nearly all samples.

The color of the longnose dace is olive-green to brown on the back and upper sides shading to white on the belly. A mottled appearance is given to the sides by the presence of darkened scale pockets, and the lateral band is indistinct in adults. Breeding males are washed with pink on the lower portions of the body. There are 61 to 73 scales in the complete lateral line. Hooked pharyngeal teeth are arranged in a 2, 4-4, 2 pattern, but this formula may vary. The upper jaw and snout greatly overhangs the lower jaw, and a barbel is present at the tip of the maxillary. A silver peritoneum speckled with brown covers the gut cavity, and the air bladder is rudimentary. Dorsal and pelvic fins contain 8 rays, while the anal fin has 7 rays, and the pectoral fins have from 13 to 15 rays.

The longnose dace spawns over clean sand or gravel in swift current during April and May. Adults are 4 to 5 inches in length at maturity and reside in riffles of gravel and boulder where they feed on insect larvae.

*Mayhew, J. (editor). 1987. Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp.