Olympic mudminnow

Olympic mudminnow
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Esociformes
Family:	Umbridae
Genus:	Novumbra
Species:	N. hubbsi
Binomial name
Novumbra hubbsi Schultz, 1928

The Olympic mudminnow (Novumbra hubbsi) is a fish native to the western lowlands of Washington state: the Chehalis River basin, Deschutes R. basin, and some Olympic Peninsula basins. It grows to 8 cm (ca 3 inches) in length, and is Washington's only known endemic freshwater fish species. Although they strongly resemble killifish, mudminnows are more closely related to pikes and mukellunge.

Taxonomy

The Olympic mudminnow is the only species in genus Novumbra, and one of five species worldwide in the family Umbridae.

Biology

The Olympic mudminnow resides in dark areas in the bottom of the river, living on fish larvae, eggs and small invertebrates. It prefers areas with mudbeds and dense vegetation, and has a remarkable tolerance of low oxygen levels.

Conservation status

The Olympic mudminnow is listed as a sensitive species by the state of Washington. Although there are many populations, the range is limited, and suitable habitat is easily lost to development

References

^{[1] [2]}

1. ^ Schultz, L. P. 1929 (July) [Ref ID: 3950] Description of a new type of mud-minnow from western Washington, with notes on related species. Univ. Wash. Publ. Fish. v. 2 (no. 6): 73-81, Pls. 1-2.
2. ^ Mongillo, P., and M. Hallock. 1999.Washington state status report for the Olympic mudminnow. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Olympia, WA.

Olympic Mudminnow on Fishbase

Nativefish.org site

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife site: status report

WDFW site: sensitive species list