Eastern blacknose dace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eastern blacknose dace |
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The Eastern blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) is a type of ray-finned fish. Its name comes from an old French word, "dars," which means "dart." This refers to how fast they swim! The western blacknose dace is a close relative, but they live in different areas.
You can find the Eastern blacknose dace in southeastern Canada and along the east coast of the United States. They are dark brown or olive on top and silvery white below. A dark line runs along their side. During breeding season, males get darker and show an orange line on their side. These fish live in rocky streams and rivers. They eat small invertebrates and tiny living things. They also serve as food for bigger fish.
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Physical Features of the Eastern Blacknose Dace
When they are very young, called fry, these fish are only about 5 mm long. Some adult Eastern blacknose dace can grow to be over 100 mm (about 4 inches) long. They usually live for two or three years and keep growing during this time.
They have a sleek, torpedo-like body shape. Their mouth is located slightly underneath their head. A dark line runs along their side, made of 56 to 70 scales. Above this line, their color can be dark brown or olive. Below the line, they are lighter, with a white belly.
Their tail fin is forked, like a "V" shape. They have one fin on their back with 8 soft rays and no sharp spines. They also have two pairs of fins on their sides and belly, plus another fin near their tail. All their fins are clear or yellowish. However, during spawning season, males' fins and side line turn orange or red.
Where Eastern Blacknose Dace Live
This fish is mostly found along the southern border of Canada. Its range extends from Manitoba to the Atlantic Ocean. In the United States, it lives along the east coast, reaching inland to South Carolina and Georgia. Scientists believe that after the last ice age, about 20,000 years ago, these fish spread from a single safe spot in what is now Connecticut. They may have moved into new areas as quickly as 75 years after the ice melted.
Eastern blacknose dace prefer to live in the upper parts of rivers, creeks, and small rivers. They like places where the water moves quickly. However, young fry grow up in slower parts of these habitats, like shallow areas and edges of pools. The fish generally prefer cool, rocky places. They use stones for shelter and rest. They also hide under overhanging plants and undercut banks. In winter, they move from smaller streams into deeper river areas. They can be found under banks in deeper water.
What They Eat and Who Eats Them
The Eastern blacknose dace eats many small insects and other tiny creatures. These include certain types of moths, midges, worms, and small crustaceans like young crayfish. They also eat some kinds of plants and algae. Young fish look for food in shallow, muddy water. Adult fish move into faster-moving water and deep pools to find invertebrates.
Many larger fish hunt and eat the Eastern blacknose dace. These include smallmouth bass, brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. They are also eaten by birds like the common merganser and the blue heron.
How Eastern Blacknose Dace Reproduce
Eastern blacknose dace lay their eggs between May and June. This happens in shallow water over gravelly areas where the water moves quickly. During this breeding time, male fish develop small bumps called nuptial tubercles on their head and fins. Their side stripe and pectoral fins also turn orange-red.
Male dace do not defend a territory. They mate with one female. The eggs are laid in simple nests. These are just small dips in the gravel, made by the fish moving around a lot during spawning. Larger females lay more eggs, usually between 400 and 1100. After the eggs are laid, the parents do not take care of the young.
See also
In Spanish: Rhinichthys atratulus para niños
