Range of the suckermouth minnow covers the entire state, where it reaches greatest abundance in the Des Moines River basin. Although it is a widely dispersed minnow in our fish fauna, it is usually reported as rare to occasional in most collections. This species is found across a large part of the continent from the Great Lakes states through the midwest to scattered locations in the Great Plains states.

Formerly named the plains suckermouth minnow, this cyprinid has an olive-green back, dusky-silver sides, and silvery-white belly. Distinctive features are the lower lip, which has thick fleshy projections on each side, and the upper jaw that is separated from the snout by a pronounced groove. A greenish lateral band has a faint gold line dorsally and ends in a distinctive elongated spot. The complete lateral band contains from 43 to 51 scales. Dorsal and pelvic fins contain 8 rays, while the anal has 7 rays, and the pectoral has 14. The snout overhangs a sub-terminal mouth, and there is no barbel. Slightly hooked pharyngeal teeth are supported on slender arches and arranged in a 4-4 pattern.

This minnow inhabits the clean riffles and runs of large creeks and small rivers, where bottom material is composed of gravel, sand or bed rock. Suckermouth minnows feed by rooting in the bottom for insect larvae. Adults are 4 to 5 inches in length and spawn in May and June.

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