Gravel chub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gravel chub |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Erimystax
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| Species: |
x-punctatus
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| Synonyms | |
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The gravel chub (Erimystax x-punctatus) is a small freshwater fish. It's also called the spotted chub because of its markings. This fish is a type of minnow and belongs to the Cyprinidae family. Gravel chubs live in different rivers and streams across North America. They need very clean water to survive. Because of this, they are easily harmed by pollution and need our help to stay safe.
Contents
What the Gravel Chub Looks Like
The gravel chub is a medium-sized minnow. It usually grows to be less than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. Its body is thin and silver. The back has a slight olive color, and the front is white.
This fish has a cool crosshatch pattern on all its scales. People sometimes confuse the gravel chub with another fish called the streamline chub. But you can tell them apart! The gravel chub has clearer crosshatch marks. It also doesn't have dark spots along its lateral line. This line runs straight from the front to the back of the fish.
The gravel chub has a mouth that points slightly downwards. This is called a subterminal jaw. It also has small whiskers, called barbels, near its mouth. These barbels help it find food. Its body is covered in small, smooth scales. About 40 to 43 of these scales run along its lateral line. Its tail is forked, like a "V" shape.
Gravel chubs are a type of ray-finned fish. This means their fins are supported by bony rays. They do not have an adipose fin, which is a small, fleshy fin found on some fish. Their pectoral fins (side fins) are pointed. They have about 13 to 16 rays and are low on the body. Their pelvic fins (bottom fins) are rounded with eight rays. They are located behind the dorsal fin (top fin). The caudal fin (tail fin) is moderately forked and pointed.
Where Gravel Chubs Live
Gravel chubs are mostly found in the northeastern parts of North America. There were reports of them in Ontario's Thames River in Canada, but not since 1958. Studies in the 1970s and 1980s confirmed they were no longer there.
In North America, they are found in scattered places. Their range goes from south-central Arkansas up to southern Minnesota. It also stretches out to western New York. In many states, you only find them in certain waters. For example, in New York, they are only in the Allegheny River area. In Minnesota, they are limited to two rivers that flow into the Mississippi River: the Root River and the Upper Iowa River. In Wisconsin, they live in the lower Rock River, including the lower Pecatonica River and lower Sugar River.
Gravel chubs live in specific small rivers and medium to large creeks and streams. They often gather in areas with slightly fast-moving water called a riffle. In summer, they like water temperatures between 18°C and 25°C (64°F to 77°F). They prefer long, flat areas of riverbeds. You can also find them at the end of rapids and the start of deeper pools where riffles are common.
They like river bottoms made of fine limestone gravel and other small, pea-sized rocks. Gravel chubs only live in clear, clean water. They cannot handle too much silt (fine dirt) or debris. They are more often found where there are few aquatic plants, algae, or moss.
Because they need such a special clean home, gravel chubs are very sensitive to pollution. Farm runoff, which causes erosion and too much silt, is a big problem for them. In the past, gravel chubs were found as far north as Le Roy, Minnesota in the Upper Iowa River. But now, because of too much sewage, pesticides, and sand settling, they are no longer there. If you find gravel chubs in a body of water, it's a good sign that the water quality is healthy!
What Gravel Chubs Eat
The gravel chub has a pointy snout. This helps it poke around the bottom of its home to find food. They eat tiny plant bits, small algae called desmids and diatoms, and very small aquatic insects.
Gravel chubs have many taste buds on their snouts. This makes their sense of taste very strong. They use this super sense to find their prey in the water.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists don't know a lot about the full life cycle of the gravel chub. Studies in Kansas suggest they lay their eggs (this is called spawning) in early spring. However, surveys in Minnesota show spawning starts in May and continues into June.
Adult gravel chubs have been seen spawning on gravel bars. They do this in gentle currents. These currents are often created when the water level rises after heavy rains.
Conservation Status and Management
The gravel chub is considered a threatened species in many places. This is mainly because they need a very specific, clean habitat. As of 1988, they were listed as endangered in Kansas. They are legally protected in Indiana and Wisconsin. They are also a special concern in Kentucky, Minnesota, and New York.
Gravel chubs need constant, mild currents with no silt in their riffles. Farm runoff is the biggest danger to this type of habitat. It makes the water cloudy and adds too much silt to rivers and streams. Populations in southern Minnesota are struggling. This is due to a lot of sediment (dirt and sand) coming from the Mississippi River. This sediment messes up the natural water flow.
The Minnesota DNR (Department of Natural Resources) is working to monitor and improve water quality in rivers and streams in southern Minnesota. Iowa and New York have also put extra effort into protecting the gravel chub. In Iowa, the gravel chub was once threatened but is now common across the state. In New York, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is working hard. They want to create a larger, self-sustaining population in the Allegheny River area. They are doing this by restocking and watching the gravel chub there.
To continue these conservation efforts, more research is needed. Scientists need to learn more about the gravel chub's life cycle, genetics, and what exactly harms their habitat. Understanding this species better is key to creating a good plan to protect the gravel chub.
See also
In Spanish: Erimystax x-punctatus para niños
