Lepidomeda mollispinis Miller & Hubbs, 1960
Virgin spinedace
Lepidomeda mollispinis
photo by The Native Fish Conservancy

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Plagopterinae
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 3 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Virgin River system in Utah, Nevada and Arizona, USA. Two subspecies were recognized: Lepidomeda mollispinis mollispinis and Lepidomeda mollispinis pratensis
Diagnosis:  Anal soft rays: 9-9. Lepidomeda molispinis can be distinguished by the following characters: scales on lateral line 77-91; anal fin with 9 rays; pharyngeal teeth 2,5-4,2; rounded snout; large terminal mouth; large males with red-orange at paired and anal fin bases, upper edge of gill cover, sometimes on belly; and opercle with black specks confined to upper half (Ref. 86798).
Biology:  Inhabits gravel and sand-bottomed flowing pools and runs of fast and usually clear creeks and small rivers (Ref. 86798).
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU); Date assessed: 02 March 2012 (B1ab(iii)+2ab(iii)) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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