Dixie chub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dixie chub |
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The Dixie chub (Semotilus thoreauianus) is a type of freshwater fish. It belongs to the carp and minnow family, called Cyprinidae. This fish is special because it is found only in the southeastern United States.
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About the Dixie Chub
The Dixie chub looks a lot like its cousin, the creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus). However, the Dixie chub is usually a bit shorter and sturdier. It also has fewer and larger scales along its lateral line. This is a special line of sensory organs on the fish's side.
How to Spot a Dixie Chub
You can tell the Dixie chub apart by looking at its fins. Its dorsal fin (the one on its back) starts a bit behind its pelvic fin (the pair on its belly). For the creek chub, these fins start almost in line. The spots on the Dixie chub's dorsal and caudal fin (tail fin) are also not as clear.
During breeding season, male Dixie chubs grow four large, hooked bumps on each side of their heads. These bumps are called nuptial tubercles. The ones closest to their nostrils (called nares) often join together.
Colors and Size
Dixie chubs are generally dark on their backs. Their undersides can be orange or pink. Their fins are usually yellow-orange. Compared to the creek chub, the Dixie chub has fewer head bumps on its gill covers and tail fin.
The dark spot near its tail (on the caudal peduncle) is spread out. In the creek chub, this spot is usually wedge-shaped and stands out from the stripe on its side. The Dixie chub has a dark, wide stripe along its side, but it's not very sharp. These fish typically grow to be about 6.5 to 15 centimeters (2.5 to 6 inches) long.
Where Dixie Chubs Live
The Dixie chub is found only in the southeastern United States. It lives in rivers that flow into the Gulf of Mexico. You can find them from the Tombigbee River in Alabama to the Ochlockonee River area in Georgia and Florida.
Recently, they were also found in three streams that flow into Bear Creek in Colbert County, Alabama. This was the first time they were seen in the Tennessee River system. In some rivers, like those flowing into Mobile Bay, Dixie chubs live alongside creek chubs. However, east of the Conecuh River, the Dixie chub is the main type of chub you'll find.
Home and Habits
Dixie chubs like to live in small, clear streams. They prefer the calm pools of creeks and small rivers. The bottom of these areas is usually made of sand or gravel.
Spawning Season
These fish gather to lay their eggs, a process called spawning, in April. Like some other chubs, the male Dixie chub builds a special nest. These nests are called "pit/ridge nests."
Building a Nest
The male fish builds these nests in parts of the stream where the water flows. They are usually near pools where the male can hide, like under a bank. First, the dominant male digs a pit. After mating with a female, he starts covering the eggs with small pebbles. He begins at the upstream end of the pit.
As they mate more, new eggs are laid downstream. These are also covered with pebbles, and the male digs a new pit further downstream. This makes the "ridge" longer. The males guard their nests very carefully. They will swim next to other males their size to show them off. They will also aggressively chase away other fish that come too close to the nest. Sometimes, other fish like the saffron shiner are seen near nesting Dixie chubs.
What They Eat
The Dixie chub is an omnivorous fish. This means it eats both plants and animals. They have been seen eating many different things. These include insects, worms, smaller fish, snails, crayfish, and various plant materials.
Naming the Dixie Chub
The Dixie chub was first described by an American fish scientist named David Starr Jordan in 1877. The scientific name Semotilus means "spotted banner." This name refers to the fish's dorsal fin. The second part of its name, thoreauianus, was given to honor the famous writer and naturalist Henry David Thoreau.
