[3] The woundfin is a small slender, silvery minnow, with a flattened head and belly, long snout, leathery skin, and no scales.

In addition, several introduced species, most notably the red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) have contributed to a decrease in the woundfin's Virgin River population.

[4] Woundfin lives in part of salty streams, avoiding clear waters and rarely can be found in quieter pools.

Fish barriers have been erected to prevent re-colonization by red shiner, and has allowed the reintroduction of hatchery raised woundfin.

Another minnow, the Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda), has much of the same range as the woundfin and thus faces the same threats of extinction, particularly competition from the red shiner and a decrease in water quality as the result of agricultural runoff.