The Pugnose Minnow lives in central North America in the rivers and streams of the Mississippi River basin and is widespread in the southern United States. In Canada, small populations are limited to southwestern Ontario in Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and the drainages of Lake Erie.

The Pugnose Minnow prefers clear, warm, well-vegetated rivers and creeks with little to no current but may live in more turbid environments. Wetland areas are also used by this species.

The Pugnose Minnow has a small, slender and elongated body. Its average adult size is approximately 50 mm long. Its head bluntly rounded and it has a very small and nearly vertical mouth.It has a silvery colour with a distinct black lateral band along each side, or is translucent straw-coloured or hase olive overtones.

In late spring, females lay eggs on the underside of flat surfaces and the males guard the nest and eggs from predators. Up to 120 eggs are laid (in a single layer) per spawning session, which is repeated over 6-7 days.