Rosyside Dace

This member of the minnow family is named for the rose-red color of the front lower half of the body.

It has yellowish fins, a forked tail, and an upturned mouth. The male rosyside sometimes has bumps, or tubercles, on his head, body, and fins.

Diet

Rosyside dace are omnivores, feeding on insects, worms, crayfish, algae, and detritus.

Size

Males and females are similar in size, up to 4.5 inches long.

Range

The rosyside dace inhabits rocky flowing pools of headwaters, creeks, and small rivers. It is found from the lower Delaware River to Savannah River drainages and in the Ohio River basin.

Population Status

This dace is fairly common throughout its range . However, habitat loss due to pollution and siltation has led to the disappearance of this species from many areas where it was once abundant.

Predators

Rosysides are preyed upon by both terrestrial and aquatic piscivores (fish eaters), including herons, kingfishers, pike, and bass.

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