The spotfin shiner is similar to the red shiner in appearance and tolerance, but has a much wider distribution in Minnesota. Breeding males develop lemon-yellow fins and bluish steel bodies. The southern redbelly dace is Minnesota's most beautiful minnow. The longnose dace is another bottom dwelling species, which swims constantly to stay afloat. The noticeably protruding snout gives the appearance of a miniature shark.
Colors vary from light brown to brownish black.
The northern hogsucker rarely exceeds 5 inches in an aquarium, and serves as an excellent and always active scavenger. The color is silver with several velvet-black bands covering the body. The tadpole madtom is brown and adults have a very large, bulbous head. It also serves as an excellent scavenger, but is a nocturnal species, and less visible than the other species listed. The banded killifish is similar to minnows in appearance.