Printer
TextMinnow - Family Cyprinidae, Part I
BLACKNOSE DACE - Rhinichthys atratulus
Fish Notes
The blacknose dace is tolerant of a wide range of environmental conditions. The dace is so adaptable it is the most common fish collected in Fairfax County. The blacknose dace was found at 85 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: Typically 2 to 3 inches
Diet: Aquatic and terrestrial insects, algae and detritus
BLUNTNOSE MINNOW - Pimephales notatus
Fish Notes
Bluntnose minnows are named for their short, blunt noses. During breeding season, the bluntnose minnow sports numerous hard bumps on its snout called tubercles. This minnow was found at 23 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Unknown, has spread quickly because of use as a bait species
Size: 3 inches, rarely to 4 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects and other small invertebrates
CENTRAL STONEROLLER - Campostoma anomalum
Fish Notes
The central stoneroller is perfectly adapted to eat algae. It has a hard jaw ridge adapted to scrape algae off rocks. To help digest the algae, this fish has the longest intestine compared to its size of any American minnow. The central stoneroller was found at 19 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 5 inches, rarely to 7 inches
Diet: Algae and detritus
COMELY SHINER - Notropis amoenus
Fish Notes
The comely shiner is rare in Fairfax County. Due to its small size and rarity, not much is known about this minnow. It was found at one percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 3 inches, rarely larger
Diet: Unknown
COMMON CARP - Cyprinus carpio
Fish Notes
The common carp is the largest member of the minnow family. The Virginia state fishing record is just over 49 pounds. Because of its large size, it typically inhabits large rivers and lakes. Specimens collected in Fairfax County are probably individuals pushed out of the lakes by heavy rains. The common carp was found at 1.5 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: No
Size: 30 inches, rarely to 40 inches
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates, plants, seeds, berries
COMMON SHINER - Luxilus cornutus
Fish Notes
During the spring breeding season, the common shiner males’ fins turn a bright red making this fish quite stunning. This shiner was found at 27 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 4 inches, rarely exceeding 5 inches
Diet: Aquatic and terrestrial insect, small invertebrates, algae and detritus
CREEK CHUB - Semotilus atromaculatus
Fish Notes
Next to the blacknose dace, the creek chub is the second most common fish in Fairfax County. The creek chub grows large enough for it to be caught by fisherman on artificial lures. The creek chub was found at 82 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 8 inches, rarely to 12 inches
Diet: Fish, crayfish and small frogs
CUTLIPS MINNOW - Exoglossum maxillingua
Fish Notes
The cutlips minnow has a highly specialized lower jaw that is split into three lobes. While the exact reason for the split is debatable, it is theorized that it is used to help dislodge snails and insects from the stream bottom and to help crush mollusks for food. The cutlips minnow was found at 29 percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 6 inches
Diet: Aquatic insects, snails and mullusks
EASTERN SILVERY MINNOW - Hybognathus regius
Fish Notes
The eastern silvery minnow has a very long intestine adapted to digest algae and detritus. Its plain looks make it a difficult minnow to identify. This minnow was found at four percent of Fairfax County sampling sites.
Fairfax County Native: Yes
Size: 3.5 inches, rarely to 5 inches
Diet: Algae and detritus
References
Jenkins, R. E., N. M. Burkhead, 1994, Freshwater Fishes of Virginia, 1079 pgs., American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD
For more information, please email the Stormwater Planning Division or call 703-324-5500, TTY 711.
Distribution maps are based on sampling data collected between 1999 and 2011.
Website Survey 