Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: MINNOW, WESTERN SILVERY

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: CYPRINIFORMES

Family: CYPRINIDAE

Genus: HYBOGNATHUS

Species: ARGYRITIS

Taxonomic Authority: GIRARD

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G4

Status References: 015 , 005

Habitat Summary

"Inhabits sloughs and backwaters of permanent streams with little or no current, and mud or sand bottoms. Fairly tolerant of high turbidity."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001 , 009 , 010

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in the Missouri R. and its tributaries of the prairie region, also in Mississippi R. from mouth of Missouri R.at least to Scott county. Drastic declines in abundance and distribution have occurred in recent decades. *001*."

County Occurance

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

References for distribution: 001 , 003 , 004

Distribution by Watersheds

Dardenne Creek
Miss. R. from St. Louis to River Aux Vases
Miss. R. from River Aux Vases to Ohio R.
Mo. R. from Iowa Border to Nishnabotna R.
Nishnabotna R.
Mo. R. from Nishnabotna R. to Nodaway R.
Mo.R. from Nodaway to Kansas City
Grand R. from Headwaters to Shoal Creek
Thompson R.
Grand R. from Shoal Creek to MO. R.
Chariton R. from Headwaters to Shuteye Creek
Chariton R. from Shuteye Creek to Mo. R.
Little Chariton R.
Osage R. from Bagnell Dam to Mo. R.
Gasconade R. from Big Piney R. to Mo. R.
Mo. R. from Kansas City to Little Chariton R.
Mo. R. from Little Chariton R. to Gasconade R.
Lamine R.
Blackwater 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
Glaciated Plains: Western
Glaciated Plains: Grand River
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
Ozark: Upper Ozark
Ozark: White River
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, sand"
"Riverine, unknown perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, mud"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 009 , 010

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 006

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

""

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Food Habits Unknown; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits

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 specified in comments(00040)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Natural features: pools

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

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Water depth specified in comments(00230)

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

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: wide range of tolerance for turbidity
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: eighth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Natural features: pools

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 014 , 001 , 009 , 010

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

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: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: slow current
Big river habitat: main channel border
Big river habitat: backwaters
Big river habitat: sandbar complexes
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: eighth 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: 014 , 001 , 003 , 009 , 010 , 012

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

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: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: slow current
Big river habitat: main channel border
Big river habitat: backwaters
Big river habitat: sandbar complexes
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: eighth 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: 014 , 001 , 003 , 009 , 010

Niche Requirement Summary

Big river habitat: backwaters
Big river habitat: main channel border
Big river habitat: sandbar complexes
Bottom type: mud or silt
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: no noticable current
Current velocity: slow current
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: slough, bayou
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: eighth order stream
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: fourth order stream
Stream order: ninth order or greater stream
Stream order: second order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: third order stream
Turbidity specified in comments(00040)
Turbidity: wide range of tolerance for turbidity
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water level: permanently flooded

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
003 Often associated with plains minnow, silver chub, flathead chub, red shiner, emerald shiner, and sand shiner *001*
007 Adults in breeding condition have been taken in MO in late June *001*
012 Spawning site information unavailable
038 In MO, adults commonly 3-5", to maximum of about 5.5" *001*

Life History Information

Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
School throughout life
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: grazing
Foraging sites: water
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Spawning site specified in comments(012)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
003 Often associated with plains minnow, silver chub, flathead chub, red shiner, emerald shiner, and sand shiner *001*
007 Adults in breeding condition have been taken in MO in late June *001*
012 Spawning site information unavailable
038 In MO, adults commonly 3-5", to maximum of about 5.5" *001*

References for life history: 001 , 004

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Beneficial Management References:

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References:

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. Publ. No. 29. 386 pp.
003 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28. Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
004 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 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 Forbes, S.A. and R.E. Richardson. 1920. The Fishes Of Illinois (2nd Ed.). IL Nat. Hist. Surv. 3:1-367.
009 Cross, F.B. 1967. Handbook Of Fishes Of Kansas. Univ. Ks Mus. Nat. Hist. Misc. Publ. 45. 357 Pp.
010 Echelle, A.A. and G.D. Schnell. 1976. Factor Analysis Of Species Associations Among Fishes Of The Kiamichi River, Oklahoma. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 105(1):17-31.
011 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
012 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.
013 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.
014 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.
015 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.