''Exoglossum laurae'' (common name tonguetied minnow) is a species of

minnow Minnow is the common name for a number of species of small freshwater fish, belonging to several genera of the families Cyprinidae and Leuciscidae. They are also known in Ireland as pinkeens. Smaller fish in the subfamily Leusciscidae are co ...

found in North America.

Description

The color of the fish ranges from dark gray to brown-black, with purple specks located throughout its body and a white belly. The fish ranges from three to five inches long. The minnow is named for its mouth. The lower mouth is only partially covered with its lips, leaving part of the minnow's jaw exposed. The mouth is horizontal and small. The minnow has eight dorsal fin-rays, seven anal fin-rays, eight pelvic fin-rays and thirteen to seventeen pectoral fin-rays.

Habitat

The minnow lives throughout

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

and the Northeastern United States. In the state of

Ohio Ohio () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty U.S. states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated. The sta ...

, the minnow is only confirmed to inhabit the Great Miami and Little Miami rivers. The Ohio population of ''Exoglossum laurae'', which is separated from more Eastern populations by several hundred miles, is considered a subspecies. The minnow is unable to live in murky waters and requires a clean rock river bottom. It also requires a forested river bank. The minnow needs somewhat cool water temperatures to survive.

Behavior

Hunting

The minnow has been categorized as an active hunter of prey, meaning that it will actively leave the safety of natural shelter to hunt prey. The hunting may occur alone or in groups. The primary prey of the minnow is aquatic

invertebrates Invertebrates are a paraphyletic group of animals that neither possess nor develop a vertebral column (commonly known as a ''backbone'' or ''spine''), derived from the notochord. This is a grouping including all animals apart from the chordate ...

Reproduction

The minnow reproduces around the month of May. Male minnows construct a nest of pebbles, which are then used to protect spawned eggs. These nests are actively defended by males. Mating likely occurs over an extended period of time as minnow spawn in various stages of development have been observed in the nests.

Conservation status

''Exoglossum laurae'' has a large population size and is considered common in its range. However, the minnow has experienced habitat loss due to

water pollution Water pollution (or aquatic pollution) is the contamination of water bodies, usually as a result of human activities, so that it negatively affects its uses. Water bodies include lakes, rivers, oceans, aquifers, reservoirs and groundwater. Water ...

and the channelization of rivers. The total population of the minnow has declined as a result of these threats. However, it is not deemed to be at risk due to its overall stable population trends and large population size.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3760251 Exoglossum Freshwater fish of North America Fish described in 1931