pugnose shiner

pugnose shiner (Notropis anogenus) [state endangered]
Photo © Konrad P. Schmidt, University of Minnesota

The pugnose shiner is about two inches in length. It has a green-brown back, yellow-brown sides and a silver belly. The breeding male has a yellow body and yellow fins. A black stripe is present from the base of the tail fin to the tip of the snout. There is a black triangle at the base of the tail fin. The mouth is upturned, nearly vertical in position. Teeth are present in the throat.

The pugnose shiner may be found in Lake County in Illinois. It lives in clear natural lakes that contain many aquatic plants. It once lived in a few streams in this area, too. Spawning occurs from May through July. The female deposits between 500 and 1,000 eggs. The pugnose shiner eats both plant and animal materials. This minnow has a life span of about two or three years.

Kingdom: Animalia​
Phylum: Chordata​
Class: Actinopterygii​
Order: Cypriniformes​
Family: Leuciscidae

Increased turbidity in natural lakes and streams and the resulting reduced amount of aquatic vegetation have led to its decline. Protection of glacial lakes from further development, prohibition of nonnative fish introductions, protection and enhancement of aquatic vegetation and protection from pollution and herbicides are all needed to insure this fish’s survival in the state.