Southern redbelly dace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern redbelly dace |
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The southern redbelly dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster) is a small, freshwater fish found in North America. It belongs to the carp family, known as Cyprinidae. These fish live in rivers and streams across a wide area of the United States. Their home ranges from New York to Minnesota, and south to states like Oklahoma and Alabama. This fish likes to live in clear, flowing parts of creeks and streams.
There is a very similar fish called the northern redbelly dace. You can tell them apart because the northern one has a rounder head. Its mouth also points more upwards. Another big difference is that male southern redbelly dace turn bright red in spring. This is when they are ready to breed. Northern redbelly dace males, however, keep a white belly.
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About the Southern Redbelly Dace
These fish usually grow to about 5.8 centimeters (about 2.3 inches) long. The longest one ever found was 9.1 centimeters (about 3.6 inches). They typically live for a few years, usually up to three.
The southern redbelly dace has two black stripes running along its sides. Above these stripes, their bodies are silvery. During spring, when it's time to breed, male southern redbelly dace get bright red or yellow stripes below the black ones.
They have two sets of paired fins near their gills: the pectoral and ventral fins. Further back are the anal fin and the tail fin, called the caudal fin. All their fins are yellow. The dorsal fin (on their back) and caudal fin have a red base where they connect to the body. The caudal fin has a notched shape, like a V. All the rays in their fins are soft. Their body shape is streamlined, which helps them swim easily in moving water.
Where They Live and Their Home
The southern redbelly dace can be found as far west as Colorado and as far east as Pennsylvania. There are many groups of them throughout the Midwest. You can find them from southern Minnesota all the way to Alabama and Mississippi.
However, most southern redbelly dace live in areas connected to the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri Rivers. They prefer waters that are not too hot or too cold. These fish live in clear, flowing bodies of water. They are typically found in streams and rivers.
What They Eat
Southern redbelly dace have a varied diet. They eat many different things. This includes algae, tiny plant-like organisms called diatoms, and small creatures without backbones. They will eat almost any small particle they find in the water for food. Generally, their diet is described as a mix of plants and small invertebrates.
Conservation Status
These fish are found in good numbers across most of the United States. However, some groups of southern redbelly dace are in trouble. This is happening in places like Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. These groups have become very endangered because they are isolated. This means they are cut off from other populations. The southern redbelly dace is not currently listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Why They Are Important to Nature
The southern redbelly dace is an important sign of how healthy rivers and streams are. This is because these minnows prefer clear, clean water. They use their eyesight to find food. So, they need a habitat with clear water to survive and thrive. If you see many southern redbelly dace, it's a good sign the water is clean!
See also
- List of freshwater aquarium fish species
