Exoglossum maxillingua (Lesueur, 1817)
Cutlips minnow
Exoglossum maxillingua
photo by Shattuck, Z.R.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Pogonichthyinae
Max. size:  16 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 2 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Atlantic Slope from St. Lawrence River drainage in Quebec, Canada to upper Roanoke River in North Carolina, USA (absent in most of New England; present in Connecticut River, Vermont based on single record); Lake Ontario drainage in Ontario, Canada and New York, USA. Also present in upper New River drainage in West Virginia and Virginia, USA where may be based on introduction.
Diagnosis:  Exoglossum maxillingua resembles tonguetied minnow, E. laurae, but can be distinguished by the presence of much larger fleshy lobe on each side of lower jaw, well separated from central bony plate and followed by another fleshy lobe on underside of head, and by absence of barbel near corner of mouth (Ref. 86798).
Biology:  Inhabits rocky pools and runs of creeks and small to medium rivers. Usually found in quiet water near boulders. Males construct large circular or rectangular nests by piling pebbles carried in the mouth (Ref. 5723, 86798). Feeds on insects and mollusks (Ref. 54729).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 27 January 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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