Northern Redbelly Dace
Konrad Schmidt
Member of the minnow family. Up to 3.5 inches in length. Dark dorsally, with two black lines that run along its side. The upper line is thin and breaks into spots at the tail. The lower line continues the length of the fish. Belly is red, white, yellow or a combination of the three.
Status in North Dakota
Year-round Resident.
Range Map
Northern Redbelly Dace primary (dark gray) and possible (light gray) range.
Reason for SWAP Designation
Clear headwater streams used by this species are threatened by current land use practices.
Threats
Degradation of quality habitat is recognized as the leading cause for decline in this species; specifically, loss and destruction of riparian habitat along waterways caused by a change in land use.
This species requires clear water and is highly susceptible to increased sedimentation.
Research and Monitoring
- The states rivers and streams are surveyed for species on a 5-year rotating schedule.
- North Dakota DEQ staff survey rivers and streams through their Index of Biotic Integrity program.
Management Recommendations
- Continue to use the Section 404 program to ensures affected rivers and riparian areas are mitigated to replace form and function.
- Continue to work with other federal agencies not covered by 404 to ensure affected rivers and riparian areas are mitigated to replace form and function.
- Continue to work with NDSWC to develop instream flow recommendations.
- Promote incentive programs to restore riparian areas.
- Continue to work with ND 319 Task Force in prioritizing projects within impaired watersheds and implementing BMPs.
- Implement intake conditions or recommendations.
- Cooperate with NDGFD Fisheries staff on state aquatic nuisance species plans.
- Removal of dams and other barriers.
- Retrofitting dams with fish passage structures.
Primary Geological Regions
Habitat Associations
Habitat Use
The Northern Redbelly Dace is reliant on cold, clear headwater streams and can be found in pools and behind dams in those streams.
The bottom substrate is normally mud.
Northern Redbelly Dace are associated with vegetation in these areas.
In the Red River drainage, the Northern Redbelly Dace has been historically documented in the Rush, Green, Goose, Tongue, and Park rivers, and spring-fed pools in the Sheyenne River.
A specific area of note is the stretch of Sheyenne River that runs through the Sheyenne National Grasslands and Mirror Pool Wildlife Management Area.
This stretch has the only recent documentation in the Red River drainage.
Populations have been historically found in the Missouri River drainage, specifically Brush, Apple, Beaver, and Antelope creeks, and the Cannonball, Knife, Heart, and Little Missouri Rivers.
Recent surveys appear to show a decline in that distribution.