Reference Guide > Montana Fish Field Guide > Minnows > Plains Minnow
Plains Minnow - Hybognathus placitus
Potential Species of Concern
Global Rank: G4
State Rank: SU
Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: none
BLM: none
CFWCS Tier: 3
General Description
The plains minnow is similar to the western silvery minnow in many features. It is native, silvery in color, found in the same major drainage and even at the same sites as the western silvery minnow, eats similar foods and attains about the same size. The plains minnow is so similar to the western silvery minnow that the two can only be told apart after making a dissection and examining a certain bone in the head.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Overall, the plains minnow is very silvery; the back is dusky or yellowish-olive, and the underside is white. The plains minnow has 15 to 22 scales across the belly from lateral line to lateral line.
Distribution
Montana Range
Habitat
Habitat for the plains minnow is probably similar to that for the western silvery minnow. Seventy percent of specimens in a southeast Montana study were taken in the mouths of streams, showing their preference for larger streams.
Food Habits
Food habits are probably very similar to the western silvery minnow.
Ecology
The ecology of the plains minnow is very similar to H. argyritis. They are distinguishable by the pharyngeal process of the basioccipital.
Reproductive Characteristics
Reproductive biology is probably very similar to the western silvery minnow.
Citations & Sources
Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
Citation for data on this website:
Plains Minnow — Hybognathus placitus. Montana Field Guide. Retrieved on October 23, 2008, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCJB16050.aspx |
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