Spotfin chub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spotfin chub |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Cyprinella
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| Species: |
monacha
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| Synonyms | |
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Erimonax monachus (Cope, 1868) |
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The Spotfin chub (Cyprinella monacha) is a type of ray-finned fish. It belongs to the Cyprinidae family, which includes minnows and carps. This fish lives only in the Tennessee River watershed. People also call it the turquoise shiner or chromium shiner.
Contents
Appearance and Size
Spotfin chub are small fish. They usually grow to be about 55 to 90 millimeters long. This is about 2 to 3.5 inches.
Where Spotfin Chub Live
The Spotfin chub naturally lives only in the rivers and streams that flow into the Tennessee River. This area covers parts of five states: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Why Their Numbers Are Declining
Sadly, recent studies show that Spotfin chub are no longer found in Alabama and Georgia. The only groups left live in just four rivers connected to the Tennessee River. These rivers are the Little Tennessee, Emory, Buffalo, and Holston rivers.
Many changes made by humans have caused their population to drop a lot. Big problems include:
- Dams: These block rivers and change how water flows.
- Sedimentation: This is when too much dirt and mud get into the water.
- Invasive Species: These are new types of fish that don't naturally belong there. They compete with the Spotfin chub for food and space.
- Fish Kills: In 1957, people used chemicals to kill fish in some areas. They thought this would help trout grow better by removing other fish. This also harmed the Spotfin chub.
What Spotfin Chub Eat and Where They Live
When Spotfin chub are young, they mostly eat insects that live on the river bottom. As they get older, they move to more open water and eat insects there. Studies show that adult Spotfin chub like to eat larvae (young forms) of midges, black flies, and caddisflies. They rely a lot on their eyesight to find food.
Habitat Preferences
Where Spotfin chub live often depends on where they can find food. Their preferred habitats can also change with the seasons. Spotfin chub have a body shape that helps them swim easily. They can also handle a wide range of water temperatures.
- Summer and Fall: During warmer months, they prefer clear, warm parts of rivers. These areas often have a good flow of water. They like places with large rocks and bedrock on the bottom. The water here is usually not too deep and moves at a medium speed.
- Winter: In colder months, they are more often found in deeper, calmer areas called pools. These spots usually have a sandy bottom.
Competition for Resources
Spotfin chub often compete with other minnow species for food and living space. This is because these other fish need similar habitats and prey. Their main competitors are other fish from the Cyprinella genus, like whitetail shiners (Cyprinella galactura). They also compete with fish from the Luxilus genus, such as the warpaint shiner (Luxilus coccogenis).
Humans also affect their habitat. Building dams and cutting down plants along riverbanks can cause flooding and more sedimentation.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Spotfin chub lay their eggs, a process called spawning, in clean, flowing water. This usually happens between May and August. The exact timing depends on the water temperature and how long the days are.
Breeding Behavior
When males are ready to breed, their bodies turn a shiny metallic blue. Their fins also get a white edge. The male fish will choose a spot, usually a crack between boulders on the river bottom. He then releases his milt (sperm) along the crack to attract a female. The female will then lay her eggs inside the crack. The male then fertilizes these eggs.
It's hard to know exactly how many eggs a female lays. However, studies suggest it's usually in the low to mid hundreds for each pair. Any eggs that are not hidden inside the crack are quickly eaten by the parents.
Growth and Development
The eggs hatch in about six days. The young fish grow quickly while they are still embryos. For about 30 days, they stay near the bottom of the river. After this, the young fish start swimming up into the water and begin eating small water insects. Most Spotfin chub become old enough to reproduce after two years. Spotfin chub usually live for about three years.
Protecting Spotfin Chub
In 1977, the Spotfin chub was officially listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. This means it is at risk of becoming endangered if efforts are not made to protect it. Losing their habitat, too much dirt in the water (sedimentation), and dams have greatly harmed their population.
Impact of Sedimentation
Sedimentation is very bad for Spotfin chub. A study in 2006 showed that a lot of dirt floating in the water can make young Spotfin chub grow 15 times slower. This muddy water also damages their gills, making it hard for them to breathe and control their body's water balance.
Conservation Efforts
Many groups are working together to help Spotfin chub. These include state and federal agencies, as well as non-profit organizations.
- Relocation: Sometimes, fish are carefully caught from places where there are many of them. Then, they are moved to areas where their numbers are low. This helps to spread them back into parts of their original home range.
- Captive Breeding: Organizations like Conservation Fisheries, Inc. raise Spotfin chub in special facilities. This helps scientists learn more about how they breed, their life cycle, and what kind of habitat they need. This knowledge helps in protecting them in the wild.
