Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: CHUB, FLATHEAD

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: CYPRINIFORMES

Family: CYPRINIDAE

Genus: PLATYGOBIO

Species: GRACILIS

Taxonomic Authority: (RICHARDSON)

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE ENDANGERED
STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 017 , 005 , 011

Habitat Summary

"Occurs in diverse habitats. May be found in pools of small creeks with moderately clear water over gravel and bedrock bottom, or in large, turbid rivers with swift current and bottom of fine sand and gravel."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001 , 008 , 009

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Populations have declined drastically since the 1960's *001*"

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
ANDREW CLAY ADAIR
ATCHISON CLINTON AUDRAIN
BOONE JACKSON BARRY
BUCHANAN NEW MADRID BARTON
CALLAWAY NODAWAY BATES
CAPE GIRARDEAU BENTON
CARROLL BOLLINGER
CHARITON BUTLER
COLE CALDWELL
COOPER CAMDEN
FRANKLIN CARTER
GASCONADE CASS
HOLT CEDAR
HOWARD CHRISTIAN
JEFFERSON CLARK
LAFAYETTE CRAWFORD
MISSISSIPPI DADE
MONITEAU DALLAS
MONTGOMERY DAVIESS
OSAGE DEKALB
PEMISCOT DENT
PERRY DOUGLAS
PLATTE DUNKLIN
RAY GENTRY
SALINE GREENE
SCOTT GRUNDY
ST. CHARLES HARRISON
ST. LOUIS HENRY
STE. GENEVIEVE HICKORY
WARREN HOWELL
IRON
JASPER
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MONROE
MORGAN
NEWTON
OREGON
OZARK
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
REYNOLDS
RIPLEY
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
STODDARD
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 004 , 013

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Meramec R.
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
Mo. R. from Gasconade R. to Miss. R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Central Till Plains, Mississippi River Alluvial Plains, Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Bluestem Prairie/Oak Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Eastern
Glaciated Plains: Lincoln Hills
Big Rivers
Big Rivers: Upper Missouri
Big Rivers: Lower Missouri
Big Rivers: Upper Mississippi
Big Rivers: Lower Mississippi
Ozark Border
Ozark Border: Missouri River
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Rock bottom, bedrock"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, cobble/gravel"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, sand"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 009

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 006

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Insects Insects; Larva stage
Crustaceans; Not Specified
Branchiopods (Daphnia, Cladocera); Not Specified
Ostracods (Eucypris); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Adult Stage

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 009

Adult Food Habits

Terrestrial Insects; Egg stage
Ephemeroptera (mayflies); See Comments
Aquatic Insects; Not Specified
Cyperaceae (sedge); Not Specified
Aquatic plants; Not Specified
Najadaceae (pondweed); Not Specified
Plants; Not Specified
Arachnids (spiders, ticks, mites, scorpions, daddy longlegs); Not Specified
Insects Insects; Not Specified
Hemiptera (water bugs, water boatmen, stink bugs); Adult Stage
Homoptera (cicadas, hoppers, aphids, scale insects); Adult Stage
Coleoptera (beetles); Adult Stage
Trichoptera (caddisflies); Adult Stage
Diptera (flies, midges, mosquitos, gnats); Adult Stage
Hymenoptera (sawflies, ants, wasps, bees); Adult Stage
Terrestrial Insects; Adult Stage
Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, mantids); Adult Stage

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 008 , 009

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Turbidity: moderate turbidity
Turbidity: high turbidity
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: bedrock
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: moderate current
Current velocity: swift current
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 009 , 010

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Natural features: pools

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 009 , 010

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: moderate turbidity
Turbidity: high turbidity
Turbidity: wide range of tolerance for turbidity
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: bedrock
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: moderate current
Current velocity: swift current
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 009 , 010 , 016

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: moderate turbidity
Turbidity: high turbidity
Turbidity: wide range of tolerance for turbidity
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
prefers clean water habitats, tolerateS infrequent periods of low d.o. if ph and temp. unaltered (saproxenous)
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: bedrock
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: moderate current
Current velocity: swift current
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Big river habitat: main channel
Big river habitat: main channel border
Big river habitat: side-channels
Big river habitat: backwaters
Big river habitat: tributary confluence
Big river habitat: sandbar complexes
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 009 , 010 , 014 , 015 , 016

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: moderate turbidity
Turbidity: high turbidity
Turbidity: wide range of tolerance for turbidity
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
prefers clean water habitats, tolerateS infrequent periods of low d.o. if ph and temp. unaltered (saproxenous)
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: bedrock
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: moderate current
Current velocity: swift current
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Big river habitat: main channel
Big river habitat: main channel border
Big river habitat: side-channels
Big river habitat: backwaters
Big river habitat: tributary confluence
Big river habitat: sandbar complexes
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 003 , 009 , 010 , 016

Niche Requirement Summary

Big river habitat: backwaters
Big river habitat: main channel
Big river habitat: main channel border
Big river habitat: sandbar complexes
Big river habitat: side-channels
Big river habitat: tributary confluence
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: bedrock
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity specified in comments(00150)
Current velocity: moderate current
Current velocity: slow current
Current velocity: swift current
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: riffles
prefers clean water habitats, tolerateS infrequent periods of low d.o. if ph and temp. unaltered (saproxenous)
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Turbidity: high turbidity
Turbidity: moderate turbidity
Turbidity: wide range of tolerance for turbidity
Water level: permanently flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
022 .mature when greater than 85 mm (standard length) *009*
003 Often found in mixed schools with other big-river minnows *001*
004 Feeds by sight and taste *001*
007 Spawn July-September *009*. In KS, spawn July and August *008*. In MO, fish less than 1" long have been collected in late May *001*
033 May migrate into smaller streams during spawning season *009*
035 Parasites include tapeworms *009*
099 Probably live at least 3 or 4 years *001*
038 Adults commonly 3.7-7.5", to maximum of about 9" *001*
012 Spawning site information unavailable

Life History Information

Migration patterns specified in comments(033)
Regulatory factors specified in comments(035)
Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: water
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
022 .mature when greater than 85 mm (standard length) *009*
003 Often found in mixed schools with other big-river minnows *001*
004 Feeds by sight and taste *001*
007 Spawn July-September *009*. In KS, spawn July and August *008*. In MO, fish less than 1" long have been collected in late May *001*
033 May migrate into smaller streams during spawning season *009*
035 Parasites include tapeworms *009*
099 Probably live at least 3 or 4 years *001*
038 Adults commonly 3.7-7.5", to maximum of about 9" *001*
012 Spawning site information unavailable

References for life history: 001 , 004 , 008 , 009

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - control sedimentation
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - stabilize streambanks
Agricultural - control erosion

Beneficial Management References: 003

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)

Adverse Management References: 003

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes Of Missouri, Revised Edition. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 372 Pp.
002 Nelson, Joseph S., Edwin J. Crossman, Héctor Espinosa-Pérez, Lloyd T. Findley, Carter R. Gilbert, Robert N. Lea, and James D. Williams. 2004. Common And Scientific Names Of Fishes From The United States, Canada and Mexico (6th Ed.). Amer. Fish Soc. Spec.
003 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
004 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
005 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
006 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
007 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
008 Cross, F.B. 1967. Handbook Of Fishes Of Kansas. Univ. Ks Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 45. 357 Pp.
009 Olund, L.J. and F.B. Crossgeographic Variation In The North American Cyprinid Fish, Hybopsis Graczlis. Univ. Kansas Mus. Nat. Hist. Publ. 13(7):323-348.
010 Davis, B.J. and R.J. Miller. 1967. Brain Patterns In Minnows Of The Genus Hybopsis In Relation To Feeding Habits And Habitat. Copeia 1967(1):1-39.
011 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
012 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
013 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
014 Unpb Mizzi, J.A. 1994. Zooplankton, Macroinvertebrate, Herptile, And Ichthyofaunal Biodiversity Of Riverine Habitat On The Upper Missouri River. M.S. Thesis, Sd State Univ. 130 Pp.
015 Unpb Gelwicks, G.T. 1995. Fish Movement Between The Lower Missouri River And A Managed Floodplain Wetland In Missouri. M.S. Thesis, Univ. Of Missouri-Columbia. 190 Pp.
016 Unpb Loomis, T.M. 1997. Survey Of The Fishes And Habitat In The Upper Moreau River, Perkins County, South Dakota. M.S. Thesis, Sd State Univ., 120 Pp.
017 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.