Bigmouth chub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bigmouth chub |
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The bigmouth chub (Nocomis platyrhynchus) is a type of fish. It lives in rivers and streams, mainly in the eastern United States. This fish gets its name from its fairly large mouth.
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What Does the Bigmouth Chub Look Like?
The bigmouth chub is a medium-sized fish. It usually grows to about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. Some can even reach up to 21 centimeters (8 inches). Its body is long and round, almost like a tube.
Head and Mouth
This fish has a head shaped like a triangle. Its snout, which is its nose area, is quite pointy. The bigmouth chub has a medium-sized mouth. On each side of its mouth, it has a small, whisker-like part called a barbel. These barbels help the fish feel and find food.
Fins and Scales
The bigmouth chub has several fins to help it swim. It has eight rays in its dorsal fin (on its back). It also has eight rays in its pelvic fins (on its belly). Its anal fin (near its tail) has seven rays. The pectoral fins (on its sides) have between fourteen and seventeen rays.
Its body is covered with smooth, round scales. The scales on the top part of the fish are brownish. The scales on its belly are white and don't have much color.
Where Does the Bigmouth Chub Live?
You can find bigmouth chubs in clear, warm rivers. They live in places like North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. Many of them are found in the New River in West Virginia. They also live in the smaller streams that flow into it.
Preferred Environment
These fish like rivers with a good current. They often hang out in deeper pools. The bottom of the rivers they live in can be rocky. It can have anything from small pebbles to large boulders. Bigmouth chubs usually avoid very shallow areas. They prefer to stay close to the riverbed.
How Does the Bigmouth Chub Reproduce?
Bigmouth chubs reproduce by laying eggs. This process is called spawning. The male fish builds a special nest for the eggs. He uses small stones and gravel to make a mound. These nests are usually in areas with medium water speeds. They are built where there is plenty of gravel.
Is the Bigmouth Chub in Danger?
The bigmouth chub is not considered to be in danger of extinction. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species. This means there are lots of them. Their populations are stable and healthy. They also have a wide range of places to live. There are no big threats to their survival right now.
See also
- Freshwater fish of the United States
- Fish described in 1971
- In Spanish: Nocomis platyrhynchus para niños
