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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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Common name: Redside Dace

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: A species of freshwater ray-finned fish from the family Leuciscidae. The mouth is large, and the species lacks barbels (Trautman 1981). Clinostomus elongatus is similar to the Rosyside Dace, C. funduloides (Page and Burr 1991). Clinostomus elongatus can be distinguished from Rosyside Dace by its longer, more pointed snout, more slender body, brighter red on lower side (of adults), and smaller scales. The breeding male is steel blue on top of the body with a yellow-gold stripe along the side and bright red on the lower side while females do not have red along the side until the spawning season (Koster 1939).

Size: Up to 12 cm (Page and Burr 1991).

Native Range: Upper Susquehanna drainage, New York and Pennsylvania; Great Lakes (except Lake Superior) and Mississippi River basins from New York and southern Ontario to Minnesota and south to West Virginia, northern Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa (Page and Burr 1991).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Ecology: This species inhabits headwaters, preferring mid-water positions in the deepest parts of pools near woody debris and under overhanging structure. They also inhabit small streams in pools and slow-flowing sections with moderate gradient and alternating riffle and pool habitats (Koster 1939, McKee and Parker 1982; Page and Burr 1991, Novinger and Coon 2000; Zimmerman 2009). Healthy populations tend to be found in streams with stable spring and summer flows and greater contributions of groundwater (Reid and Parna 2017) while thermal tolerance of the fish varies by season, age, and condition (Leclair et al. 2020; Turko et al. 2020). This species primarily consumes insects (Daniels and Wisniewski 1994). The species spawns in pairs and in dense groups where females have multiple male partners (Watt et al. 2023).

Means of Introduction: Probable bait release.

Status: Reported in Youghiogheny River drainage, Maryland, as well as in drainages of Kentucky, Michigan, and Virginia.

Impact of Introduction:

Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...

Economic

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 collection, made in 1977, is the first record of this species for the state of Maryland (Hendricks et al. 1979).

References: (click for full references)

Daniels, R.A., and S.J. Wisniewski. 1994. Feeding ecology of redside dace, Clinostomus elongatus. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 3(4):176-183.
Koster, W.J. 1939. Some phases of the life history and relationships of the cyprinid, Clinostomus elongatus (Kirtland). Copeia 1939(4):201-208.
Leclair, A.T., D.A.R. Drake, T.C. Pratt, and N.E. Mandrak. 2020. Seasonal variation in thermal tolerance of redside dace Clinostomus elongatus. Conservation Physiology 8(1):coaa081.
McKee, P., and B. Parker. 1982. The distribution, biology and status of the fishes Campostoma anomalum, Clinostomus elongatus, Notropis photogenis, and Fundulus notatus in Canada, Canadian Journal of Zoology 60:1347–1358.
Novinger, D.C., and T.H. Coon. 2000. Behaviour and physiology of the redside dace, Clinostomus elongatus, a threatened species in Michigan, Environmental Biology of Fishes 57:315–326.
Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes: North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Boston, MA.
Reid, S.M., and S. Parna. 2017. Urbanization, long-term stream flow variability, and Redside Dace status in Greater Toronto Area streams. Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Trautman, M.B. 1981. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State University Press, Columbus, OH. 782 pp.
Turko, A.J., C.B. Nolan, S. Balshine, G.R. Scott, and T.E. Pitcher. 2020. Thermal tolerance depends on season, age and body condition in imperilled redside dace Clinostomus elongatus. Conservation Physiology 8(1):coaa062.
Watt, A.M., D.A.R. Drake, D. Lawrie, and T.E. Pitcher. 2023. Reproductive phenology and behaviour of endangered redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) in urban streams. Journal of Fish Biology 102(4):968-976.
Zimmerman, B.J. 2009. Microhabitat use by the redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) in Ohio. Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH.

Other Resources:

Author: Dean, EM, and P. Fuller

Peer Review Date: 4/21/2025

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.