Range and natural history
Its habitat includes shallow, free-flowing rivers over sand and gravel, sometimes with small rubble. Water clarity ranges from relatively clear to moderately turbid. The combination of drainage and river habitat is more informative than treating every pale-colored minnow as a pallid chub.
The species was formally described in 2017 in a revision of the Macrhybopsis aestivalis complex. It has an elongated body, eight dorsal soft rays and usually seven anal rays, although the anal count varies. Reliable separation from related chubs uses the full diagnostic description.
Sources: Macrhybopsis pallida species summary
