Leopard Dace Rhinichthys falcatus
Conservation Status: Not listed under the Endangered Species Act
> Leopard Dace are endemic to (and found only in) the Pacific Northwest.
Identification Tips
> Leopard Dace have an elongate body with dark, irregular blotching on back and sides.
> They have a slightly down-turned mouth, whereas Speckled Dace have a terminal mouth.
> Leopard Dace have small barbels or whiskers at the corners of their jaw.
> They have a concave upper edge of the dorsal fin.
Natural History
> Leopard Dace spawn in early summer and use calm, cool river habitats.
> They have an upper lethal limit of 23 °C and consequently may be sensitive to increasing water temperatures with changing climate.
> They can live up to 5 years.
Range
> Leopard Dace are found in the Fraser River in British Columbia and in the Columbia River basin in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, scattered throughout the Willamette, Umatilla, and Snake rivers.
> Their distribution is considered spotty throughout their range and they are considered a rare fish.
Size
> Maximum size is approximately 4 inches (10 cm).
Habitat
> Leopard Dace are found in moderate velocities in riffles or the tail outs of pools where the velocities increase.
Diet
> Adults feed on invertebrates, mainly insects, while juveniles eat midge larvae and zooplankton.
Conservation and Management
> From 2011–2013 to 2021–2023, there were river-wide declines in occupancy (number of sites where they were found) between decades in the Willamette River.
Similar Species
> Speckled Dace, which do not have any barbels.
> Longnose Dace, which have barbels on their snout.
References
For more information, see references.