Pearl dace was recently added to the fish faunal list in Iowa by the collections of specimens in Worth County. This species is currently listed as endangered. The native range of this cyprinid is centered in the northern Great Lakes states with extensions from Nebraska into New Foundland along with scattered populations in central Canada.

Pearl dace have an elongated body form and are nearly cylindrical in cross section. The terminal mouth is nearly horizontal with the upper jaw separated from the snout by a groove. A small barbel is present in the groove of the upper jaw, but is occasionally lacking. Hooked pharyngeal teeth are arranged in a formula of 2, 5-4, 2, but this count is variable. The lateral line is usually complete and has 62 to 78 scales. Coloration is dark olive on the back with lighter sides, and the belly is white. Many of the scale pockets on the sides are darkened, giving a mottled appearance, and a lateral band is distinct on the young but fades in adults. Nuptial males have a rosy color below the lateral band, and females may also show some color during spawning. Dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins have 8 rays, while the pectoral fins contain 15 or 16 rays.

The pearl dace inhabits small creeks with gravel bottoms where they forage on insect larvae and zooplankton. Adults reach about 4 inches in length. Breeding occurs in early spring.

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