SIXTY-TWO SPECIES OF FISHES FROM LAKE ERIE 
331 
BREEDING 
This minnow, also, is a spring spawner, and the anterior part of the lateral 
band becomes bright crimson in breeding males. 
18. Notropis heterolepis Eigenmann and Eigenmann. Black-nosed minnow. 
[Hybopsis heterolepis Eigenmann and Eigenmann. Jordan, Evermann, Clark, 
p. 134.] 
RECORD OF CAPTURE 
The black-nosed minnow seeks the quiet, sheltered bays of Lake Erie, and the 
muddy streams and swampy places near by. 
DESCRIPTION 
• The absence of black on the chin readily distinguishes this species from the allied 
N. bijrenatus and N. heterodon in which the lateral band passes through the higher 
mouth, pigmenting both jaws. 
20.0-millimeter stage . — Total length, 20.0; standard length, 16.6; length to vent, 
11.0; length of head, 4.5; snout, 1.4; diameter of eye, 1.15; greatest depth before 
vent, 3.3; depth behind vent, 2.4; length to dorsal, 9.1; to anal, 11.2 millimeters. 
Myomeres, 19 to vent plus 15 behind. Dorsal II (rudimentary), 8 (last divided), 
slightly nearer caudal than tip of snout; anal II (rudimentary), 8 (last divided); 
ventrals inserted in advance of dorsal. Body slender; snout longer than eye; mouth 
subinferior, small, nearly horizontal, lower jaw included. 
Pigmentation. — The black-nosed minnow is generally less pigmented than other 
minnows at this length. Chromatophores are restricted to upper jaw, top and upper 
half of head, about 4 irregular lines along dorsal ridge to caudal, a single or irregular 
double series marking lateral line as a continuation of the band which starts at tip 
of snout, a very few below head and around anal base, and on dorsal, anal, and caudal 
fins. The white chin is diagnostic. 
BREEDING 
This species spawns in late spring and early summer. John Greeley (1929) found 
females in spawning condition on July 26, 1928, in the Niagara Kiver. 
