Umbra limi
Central Mudminnow
NS
G5
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Esociformes
Umbridae (Mudminnows)
Umbra
Umbra limi (Central Mudminnow)
Description
This species account was compiled from
FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. 2025. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version 04/2025.)
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Characters
Body shape: elongated.
Distribution
North America: St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay (Red River) and Mississippi River basins from Quebec to Manitoba in Canada and south to Ohio, Tennessee and Arkansas, USA; Hudson River drainage (Atlantic Slope) in New York, USA. Isolated populations in Missouri River drainage of South Dakota and Iowa, USA.
Habitat Associations
Freshwater. demersal. Found in: streams, lakes, marshes/swamps.
Biology
Occurs in quiet areas of streams, sloughs, swamps and other wetlands over mud and debris (Ref. 5723, 10294). Often found in dense vegetation. Tolerates drought, low oxygen levels and extremes water temperature (Ref. 5723). Feeds on aquatic insects, amphipods, isopods, and snails (Ref. 10294).
Max length: 14.0 cm TL; common length: 8.1 cm TL; max age: 4 years.
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: external; guarders; parental care: maternal.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2012-03-01. Resilience: Medium (Fec = 1,500; K=0.3).
Commercial or Environmental Importance
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial.
References
Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen (1966) Modes of reproduction in fishes. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City, New Jersey. 941 p.
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr (1991) A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
Colgan, P and B. Silburt (1984) Feeding behavior of the central mudminnow, Umbra limi, in the field and laboratory. Environ. Biol. Fishes 10(3):209-214.
Chilton, G., K.A. Martin and J.H. Gee (1984) Winter feeding: an adaptive strategy broadening the niche of the central mudminnow, Umbra limi. Environ. Biol. Fishes 10(3):215-219.
Comments On Umbra limi