Barrens topminnow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrens topminnow |
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The Barrens topminnow (Fundulus julisia) is a small freshwater fish. It belongs to the family Fundulidae. This special fish needs our help to survive and grow its numbers in the wild.
Several things threaten the Barrens topminnow. An invasive fish called the western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) can take over their habitats. Large wading birds also hunt adult topminnows. Plus, these fish only live in a very small area.
Understanding this fish is key to helping it. The Barrens topminnow lives only in a small part of Tennessee. You can find it in the Elk River and West Hickory Creek. These are both part of the Cumberland River system. This fish has a very short life, usually living only up to three years. Many don't even live that long. During breeding season, male topminnows become brightly colored. This makes them easy targets for birds.
People are working to protect the Barrens topminnow. They are breeding them in special tanks and releasing them back into the wild. Some private landowners are also helping to protect streams and land. But more can be done! Creating protected areas around streams is important. Also, closely watching the fish released into the wild is a top priority. With only three small natural groups left, it's vital for these fish to survive. They need to thrive in their natural homes, not just in captivity.
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Where Does the Barrens Topminnow Live?
The Barrens topminnow lives only in Tennessee. Specifically, it is found in the Cumberland Plateau region. Right now, you can only find them in the Elk River and West Hickory Creek. West Hickory Creek is a smaller stream that flows into the Cumberland River.
These fish are often found near springs. However, during dry times, they learned to survive in springs close to permanent water. They love areas with lots of aquatic plants or algae. They prefer shallow water that moves slowly. The Barrens topminnow can handle warm water and cloudy water. They can also live with other fish that compete for food. They even survive with predators around. Having enough aquatic plants is very important for them. It helps them hide and lay their eggs.
What Does the Barrens Topminnow Eat?
The Barrens topminnow acts much like other fish in its family. It is a carnivore, meaning it eats meat. It will eat whatever food it can find. Its diet includes small crustaceans, snails, and insects. It eats both insects that live in the water and those that fall into the water.
Scientists looked at what was inside their stomachs. They found that crustaceans made up 64% of their diet. Aquatic insects were 23% of their food. Other small creatures made up the last 13%.
The Barrens topminnow competes for food with other fish. These include the Northern studfish and the Western mosquitofish. The mosquitofish is a big problem for the topminnow. It competes for the same food, which causes the topminnow's numbers to drop.
Who Eats the Barrens Topminnow?
Larger fish like bass (Micropterus species) and sunfish (Lepomis species) eat the Barrens topminnow. These predators usually catch them in the water. Outside the water, birds that eat fish are a threat. These birds can spear the topminnow with their sharp beaks. They can also catch them with beaks that have ridges.
During breeding season, male topminnows become very colorful. This makes them easy to spot. This bright color also makes them easier prey for birds.
How Do Barrens Topminnows Look?
Male Barrens topminnows can have two different looks. The main difference is in the bands on their tail fin and back fin. One type has a pale yellow band. The other has a clear blue band with white and orange.
Female topminnows are much less colorful. They usually look yellowish and faded. Even young males and females can be told apart. Young males have a shiny green color on their sides.
Life Cycle of the Barrens Topminnow
The Barrens topminnow breeds once a year. This usually starts in mid-March. This is when males first get their bright breeding colors. At this time, the water temperature is about 14-15 degrees Celsius (57-59 degrees Fahrenheit).
Eggs have been found in clumps of algae in mid-April. A female lays about 200-250 mature eggs over a period of time. She only lays a few eggs each day. The eggs of the Barrens topminnow suggest they prefer to lay them on underwater plants. This is where they are most successful. Losing these good places to lay eggs might be a main reason why they don't spread to more areas.
Male topminnows sometimes defend their space. This is seen more often in aquariums than in the wild. In tanks, a single male might become dominant and defend a part of the tank. In the wild, males only slightly defend their clumps of algae. Females do not usually defend territory in the wild. However, they have been seen defending feeding areas in aquariums.
These fish become ready to breed at one year old. Their maximum lifespan is three years. But most of them do not live that long. Many die after they breed for the first time.
Helping the Barrens Topminnow Survive
Not a lot of hands-on work is being done to protect the Barrens topminnow right now. However, many groups know that something must be done. They want to protect and save this fish.
The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee (TNC) works with landowners. They help protect places where the Barrens topminnow lives. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) also helps. They have officially listed the fish as endangered in the state.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) also help. They give money and support to landowners. This helps protect habitats where the fish live now. It also helps places where fish are being released or might be released soon.
Thanks to these groups, captive breeding programs have been successful. This means they can breed the fish in special facilities. These fish are then released into areas of the Barrens Plateau.
How Can We Help More?
It's important to keep watching the fish that have been released. We need to see if they are doing well or if they are struggling. We also need to check for problems like too many predators or not enough good places to live.
Managing the land around streams is also very important. A healthy stream depends on healthy land. We need to create "buffer zones" around stream habitats. These are protected areas that stop runoff and dirt from getting into the water. These zones should be at least 20-35 feet wide. This helps trees stay strong and prevents them from falling into the water.
Trees over the stream help keep the water temperature steady. Fallen branches and leaves create small habitats for the topminnow's prey. This also makes it harder for people to get to the stream, keeping it healthier.
We also need to create shallow, slow-moving water areas. Adding and growing stringy algae is important for successful egg-laying. To make sure the fish population is stable, we should check on them regularly. Sampling should happen at least every six months. This helps us see how well they are breeding and surviving.
Using electroshockers is a good way to find out how many fish there are. This method stuns the fish temporarily. It allows scientists to catch many fish, examine them, and take measurements. Shocking should happen in the deeper parts of streams. This is where the Barrens topminnow tries to escape from predators.
Invasive species, like the mosquitofish, should be watched. If they threaten the topminnow, they should be removed. This can also be done using electroshocking. With these actions, Barrens topminnow populations should be able to grow and be maintained.
See also
In Spanish: Fundulus julisia para niños
