Novumbra hubbsi
Novumbra hubbsi
(Olympic Mudminnow)
Fishes
Native Transplant
Collection Info
Point Map
Species Profile
Animated Map

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Roger Tabor - US Fish and Wildlife Service Copyright Info
Novumbra hubbsi Schultz, 1929
Common name: Olympic Mudminnow
Taxonomy: available through www.itis.govITIS logo

Identification: Wydoski and Whitney (1979); Page and Burr (1991).
Size: to 9 cm TL (Wydoski and Whitney 2003)
Native Range: Coastal lowlands of Olympic Peninsula, Washington, from Ozette Lake and Queets River drainage to upper Chehalis River drainage (Mongillo and Hallock 1999). Occasionally found in lower Deschutes River (Puget Sound drainage), apparently as a result of floodwater exchange with Chehalis River (Wydoski and Whitney 1979; Page and Burr 1991).
Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe NS logo
Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Nonindigenous Occurrences:

Table 1. States with nonindigenous occurrences, the earliest and latest observations in each state, and the tally and names of HUCs with observations†. Names and dates are hyperlinked to their relevant specimen records. The list of references for all nonindigenous occurrences of Novumbra hubbsi are found here.

StateFirst ObservedLast ObservedTotal HUCs with observations†HUCs with observations†
WA198519982Lake Washington; Snoqualmie

Table last updated 4/1/2025

† Populations may not be currently present.
Ecology: Generally found in lowlands in slow moving streams, marshes, ponds, wetlands, and other habitats with low water flow, muddy bottoms, and abundant aquatic vegetation. Primarily consumes benthic and aquatic invertebrates (ostracods, isopods, oligochaetes, mysids, mollusks, and insect larvae) (Mongillo and Hallock 1999).
Means of Introduction: Unknown.
Status: Established in Washington.
Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.
Remarks: The Olympic Mudminnow, orignally considered introduced in the northern portion of the Olympic peninsula (e.g., Ozette Lake, Queets River; Wydoski and Whitney 1979), has been found in two areas between the suspected "introductions": the Hoh and Quillayute rivers (Mongillo and Hallock 1997; 1999), which are north of the Queets River and south of Lake Ozette. These new discoveries suggest that this species is actually native throughout the Olympic peninsula but was unknown prior to recent sampling. Lake Ozette and the Chehalis River drainage were ice free during the most recent glaciation, providing refugia for Olympic Mudminnows and other species (Mongillo and Hallock 1999).
References: (click for full references)

Mongillo, P.E., and M. Hallock. 1997. Distribution and habitat of native nongame stream fishes of the Olympic Peninsula. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Technical Report #FRD 97-05. 45 pp.

Mongillo, P.E., and M. Hallock. 1999. Washington state status report for the Olympic mudminnow. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. 36 pp.

Page, L.M., and B.M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. The Peterson Field Guide Series, volume 42. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Trotter, P.C., B. McMillan, and D. Kappes. 2000. Occurrence of the Olympic mudminnow on the east side of the Puget Trough. Northwestern Naturalist 81(2):59-63.

Wydoski, R.S., and R.R. Whitney. 1979. Inland fishes of Washington. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.

Wydoski, R.S., and R.R. Whitney. 2003. Inland fishes of Washington. Second edition. University of Washington Press, Seattle, WA.

Other Resources:
FishBase Summary
Author: Matt Neilson, and Pam Fuller
Revision Date: 3/5/2012
Peer Review Date: 3/5/2012

Citation Information:
Matt Neilson, and Pam Fuller, 2025, Novumbra hubbsi Schultz, 1929: U.S. Geological Survey, Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database, Gainesville, FL, https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/factsheet.aspx?SpeciesID=976, Revision Date: 3/5/2012, Peer Review Date: 3/5/2012, Access Date: 4/1/2025

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.

Disclaimer:

The data represented on this site vary in accuracy, scale, completeness, extent of coverage and origin. It is the user's responsibility to use these data consistent with their intended purpose and within stated limitations. We highly recommend reviewing metadata files prior to interpreting these data.

Citation information: U.S. Geological Survey. [2025]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [4/1/2025].

Contact us if you are using data from this site for a publication to make sure the data are being used appropriately and for potential co-authorship if warranted.

For general information and questions about the database, contact Wesley Daniel. For problems and technical issues, contact Matthew Neilson.



Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.



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