The present range of this minnow is confined within two disjunct centers in the Midwest: a northern region in southeastern Minnesota, northeastern Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and northwestern Illinois and a southern region in southern Missouri, northern Arkansas, and northern Oklahoma. Distribution of the Ozark minnow is confined to a region of the state that lies north and east of the Cedar River drainage, where this species is rare to occasional in fish collections. This cyprinid is decreasing as suitable habitat is being destroyed throughout its continental range.

Body color in Ozark minnows is dusky above with dull, silvery sides and silvery-white belly. A dark lateral band starts on the tip of the snout and ends in a faint spot at the end of the caudal peduncle. The terminal mouth is slightly oblique and has no barbel. Prominent eyes appear large in proportion to the head. The complete lateral line contains from 36 to 38 scales. Dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins contain 8 rays, while the pectoral fins vary from 13 to 15 rays. Short, hooked pharyngeal teeth are arranged in a 4-4 formula. The long intestine is coiled, unlike most species, and the peritoneum is black.

Ozark minnows inhabit small, lime-rock creeks in Iowa. Schools are usually found in the vicinity of bank seeps, where ground water enters the stream. They have very strict ecological requirements, being intolerant of turbidity, which obviously limits their Iowa distribution and threatens their existence throughout their range. Because of their long intestine, they are considered plant and debris feeders. Adults reach about 3 inches in length. Breeding males develop yellowish-orange color on the underside of the body and fins. Spawning occurs in May and June.

Ozark minnows were initially listed in the genus Dionda but were recently aligned, with two other species, into a sub-genus Hydrophlox within the genus Notropis.

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