Distribution: Distributed throughout the entire Mississippi River drainage from the Lake Winnipeg-Nelson River drainage to western Ontario, and as far east as the Lake Erie system in Pennsylvania. Occurs in tributaries of Lake Michigan, Lake St. Clair, and Lake Erie. Found as far west as Minnesota and Iowa and south to Oklahoma and Louisiana, and the Texas Gulf Coast drainages. Widespread in eastern Oklahoma.

Life History and Ecology: Usually occurs in relatively shallow (< 3 ft) quiet water. Long-term brooder that is a broadcast spawner that reportedly infects and metamorphoses on fish hosts in the family Centrarchidae. Opportunistic life history strategy.

Special Status: none

Shell Description: click here for shell description