Ichthyology. Texas Master Naturalist Program El Camino Real Chapter

Ichthyology Texas Master Naturalist Program El Camino Real Chapter

Ecology of Aquatic Systems (Review?) Lentic Systems Standing/non-flowing Water is retained Ponds, Lakes, Reservoirs Littoral = edge, emergent veg. Limnetic = open water Benthic = bottom (sediment) Turbidity = cloudiness Eutrophication = >>>nutrients Organisms suspended in water column 212 Reservoirs built in Texas Lotic Systems Flowing/Current (gravity) Water flows through Springs, Streams, Rivers Hydrology Gradient, Meanders Erosion, Deposition Mesohabitats: Riffles Runs Pools Organisms near/on/in substrate

Food/Energy Web/Chain Lakes (Lentic) Streams (Lotic)

River/Fluvial Geomorphology

Stream mesohabitat types Riffle water surface broken Run water surface smooth (has thalweg = valley way) Pool/Glide relatively deep and still Backwater slow water Snag woody debris, structure/shelter Bank (cutbank = erosion, point bar = deposition) Channel main/side, wide, narrow

77 Oklahoma City 62 540 Fort Smith Amarillo 40 Norman 287 44 35 Little Rock 27 Lubbock 70 Lawton Brazos River Witchita Falls 75 82 75 69 30 87 81 Abilene Plano Dallas Metro Area Fort Worth 35W 35E Tyler Bossier City Midland Odessa Brazos River 49 20 San Angelo Waco 10 Bryan 45 Austin 59 Houston Metro Area Beaumont Port Arthur 210 281 San Antonio 37

Smalleye Shiner Brazos River endemic

Fishes Hagfishes 43 spp. (1 in TX, Gulf hagfish) Lampreys 41 spp. (2 in TX) Cartilaginous fishes 1,000 spp. (78 in TX) Sharks, skates, rays, etc. mostly marine Ray-finned fishes > 24,000 spp. (243 in TX)

Phylogeny of fishes

Hagfishes Myxinidae Myxine glutinosa (Atlantic Hagfish) myx = slime (Gk.) slime eel, <=2.5 ft long > 300 M y.o. most primitive vert. Marine, on continental shelves Gulf of Mexico Deep water, up to 5600 ft. depth Bury in sea floor. Partial skull, no jaw, no bones. No vertebrae. Cartilage skeleton. Eyes reduced. Rasping tongue. Feeds on dead fish, from inside out. Feeds on worms, etc. on ocean floor. Gulf hagfish (Eptatretus springeri) lives in brine pools on ocean floor.

Lampreys Petromyzontidae Ichthyomyzon castaneus (Chestnut Lamprey) <= 15 in. Gk. sucker of fish, Gk. of chestnut color East Texas (Red, Sabine, Neches R. basins) Slow water rivers and reservoirs Juveniles are herbivorous filter feeders (diatoms, etc.) Adults are parasitic carnivores (blood of other fish)

s Creek South Leon River Leon River Spring Creek Meridian Creek Neils Creek Tehuacana Creek Middle Bosque River Bosque River Brazos River Hog Creek Childress Creek Aquilla Creek Navasota River Christmas Creek Big Creek Big Creek Bennett Creek Simms Creek Sulphur Creek Mesquite Creek Lampasas River Cowhouse Creek Coryell Creek Owl Creek Salado Creek Cow Bayou Little Brazos River Big Elm Creek Little River Pond Creek Walnut Creek Steele Creek Cedar Creek Berry Creek San Gabriel River Brushy Creek Cedar Creek Davidson Creek Wickson Creek Gibbons Creek Old River Yegua Creek West Yegua Creek

Suckers Catostomidae Carpoides carpio (River Carpsucker) <= 27 in. L. carp-like, L. carp Deep body, subterminal mouth Suction and filter feeder, periphyton, plankton Texas statewide, large rivers and reservoirs Abundant in quiet, silt-bottomed pools of rivers (muddy)

Suckers Catostomidae Moxostoma congestum (Gray Redhorse) <= 20 in. Gk. sucking mouth, L. swollen (lower lip) Terete (tapered cylinder) body, small inferior mouth Opportunistic benthic invertivore (insects/mollusks) Texas Edwards Plateau streams (Brazos, Colorado, etc.) Found in rock, sand, gravel pools and deep runs, riffles

Sunfishes Centrarchidae Lepomis gulosus (Warmouth) <= 11in. Gk. scaled gill cover, L. large-mouthed Body somewhat elongate and robust Mouth terminal Adults feed on insects, crayfish, insects, small fishes Texas statewide except panhandle ponds, streams, lakes, rivers Prefers heavily vegetated sites with limited flow and dense cover Habitats: Riffle, run, snag, bank, channel, pools, backwaters

Sunfishes Centrarchidae Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill) <= 15in. (breeding male above) Gk. scaled gill cover, Gk. large hand (body shape) Body deep, laterally compressed Mouth terminal, oblique Wide spectrum feeder, feeds during daylight hours Texas statewide ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oxbows Shallow, warm, slow-flowing waters with abundant aquatic vegetation, pools, backwaters

Sunfishes Centrarchidae Lepomis cyanellus (Green Sunfish) <= 10 in. Gk. scaled gill cover (operculum), Gk. blue Body strongly compressed laterally Mouth terminal oblique (larger than most sunfishes) Young feed on zooplankton Adults feed on insects, crayfish, insects, small fishes Texas statewide ponds, streams, lakes, rivers Prefers sites with low velocity

Sunfishes Centrarchidae Lepomis megalotis (Longear Sunfish) <= 8in. Gk. scaled gill cover, Gk. great ear Deep-bodied Mouth terminal, slightly oblique Invertivore (aquatic & terrestrial), piscivore Texas statewide ponds, streams, reservoirs Abundant in clear, small upland streams with rocky bottoms (clear water)

Sunfishes/Black Bass Centrarchidae Micropterus punctulatus (Spotted Bass) <= 24in. Gk. small fin, L. dotted (rows of dark spots) Body slender Mouth terminal, slightly supraterminal, moderately large Feeds on insects, crayfish, fishes shad, sunfish, minnows Eastern Texas excluding Edwards Plateau Streams, rivers faster water than LMB

Sunfishes/Black Bass Centrarchidae Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass) <= 27in. Gk. small fin, L. trout Mouth terminal, slightly oblique, extending well beyond posterior eye margin Sight feeder midwater attack, benthic attack Bluegill, shad, minnows, darters, insects Texas statewide excluding Panhandle Lakes, ponds, reservoirs, backwaters, slow-water rivers, streams Prefers clear, quiet waters with aquatic vegetation

Sunfishes/Black Bass Centrarchidae Micropterus treculii (Guadalupe Bass) <= 15 in. Gk. small fin Elongate body moderately compressed with large mouth Insects, crayfish, hellgrammites, fishes Endemic to the streams of the northern and eastern Edwards Plateau A species of Special Concern (TPWD) the official state fish Streams and reservoirs Small lentic environments, flowing water

Sunfishes/Black Bass Centrarchidae Pomoxis annularis (White Crappie) <= 20 in. Gk. opercle sharp L. having rings (irregular vertical bars) Body laterally compressed Mouth terminal, somewhat oblique Invertivore/carnivore - shad, etc. Eastern 2/3 of the state Streams, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, oxbows (deeper water)

Cichlids Ciclidae Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum (Rio Grande Cichlid) <= 12 in. Gk. body of a wrasse Gk. blue-spotted Body general oval shape Mouth terminal, somewhat oblique Omnivore - fish eggs, insects, small fishes, vegetation Rio Grande and Pecos River basins introduced Central TX (EP) Ponds, springs, lagoons creeks, rivers (pools, backwaters)

Shads/Herrings Clupeidae Dorosoma cepedianum (Gizzard shad) <= 20 in. Gk. lanceolate body Deep body, laterally compressed mouth subterminal Most often found in large schools Filter zooplankton, microcrustaceans, detritus Statewide, highly abundant in reservoirs (> 50% of fish biomass) Lakes, ponds, pools and backwaters

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Campostoma anomalum (Central Stoneroller) <= 9 in. curved mouth, extraordinary Body terete and stout mouth subterminal Herbivore/grazer filamentous algae, diatoms, insects Found primarily in clear streams of the Edwards Plateau Small to medium streams with gravel substrate, in pools and riffles

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Cyprinella lutrensis (Red Shiner) <= 3in. L. small carp, otter (type locality = Otter Creek, AR) Body deep and compressed Mouth terminal to slightly subterminal Herbivore/invertivore algae, insects Statewide reservoirs, rivers, streams, creeks (pools/riffles) Tolerant of siltation and turbidity

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Cyprinella venusta (Blacktail Shiner) <= 7in. L. small carp, beautiful, like Venus Body fairly deep and compressed Mouth terminal to slightly subterminal and oblique Algae, seeds, insects (aquatic and terrestrial) Statewide small to large streams Pools, runs, riffles with silt/gravel/bedrock

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Macrhybopsis hyostoma (Shoal Chub) <= 3in. Gk. long, hog mouth Body dorsally humped and ventrally flattened Mouth horizontal and subterminal (almost inferior) Feeds on aquatic insects, plant materials Sabine, Brazos and Colorado Rivers not reservoirs Prefers run habitats with sand/gravel

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Notemigonus crysoleucas (Golden Shiner) <= 14in. Gk. angled back, golden white Body deep, strongly compressed laterally Mouth oblique, nearly superior, opening narrow Zooplankton, flying insects - midwater and surface Statewide, as a result of bait releases (native to East TX) Ponds, slow rivers and streams, oxbows

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnow) <= 4in. Gk. fat head, in front, black Body laterally compressed with a blunt snout Mouth terminal, slightly upturned Benthic feeders algae, protozoa, diatoms (mud/silt) Statewide, as a result of bait releases Ponds, rivers, streams (pools, backwaters), oxbows, turbid

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Cyrpinus carpio (Common Carp) <= 4 ft. Described by Linneaus (1758) Body deep and compressed Mouth terminal on young, becoming subterminal Invertivore/detritivore, benthic, grazer/suction feeder Feeds in shallow water, by rooting through the substrate (benthos) this behavior stirs up the water and increases turbidity Introduced to U.S. in 1877, now found throughout Texas Found in large bodies of water, backwaters, rivers, reservoirs

Topminnows/Killifishes Fundulidae Fundulus notatus (Blackstripe Topminnow) <= 4in. L. bottom (habitat), spotted Body slender Mouth terminal, snout pointed Terrestrial arthropods, snails, aquatic insects, microcrustaceans East Texas, Red to San Antonio River basins Prefers small to large, lowland, low-gradient streams and sloughs in water of moderate to high turbidity

North American / Bullhead Catfishes Ictaluridae Ameiurus melas (Black Bullhead) <= 16 in. Gk. privative curtailed (caudal fin lacking notch), black Body moderately elongate, robust body, little compressed laterally Mouth terminal, slightly subterminal Feeds on invertebrates and fish, Statewide, except Trans-Pecos drainages Ponds, pools in streams/rivers, swampy habitats, turbid waters with silt bottoms

North American / Bullhead Catfishes Ictaluridae Ictalurus furcatus (Blue Catfish) <= 5 ft. Gk. fish cat, forked (caudal fin) Body moderately robust, elongate Mouth subterminal Benthic Feeds on invertebrates, fish, frogs, mollusks Statewide, except Panhandle Larger rivers and streams Swift chutes and pools with current sand/gravel/rubble

North American / Bullhead Catfishes Ictaluridae Noturus gyrinus (Tadpole Madtom) <= 6 in. Gk. back tail (adipose fin and tail fin connected), tadpole Body heavy, round and potbellied anteriorly (rarely elongate), strongly compressed posteriorly Mouth terminal Benthic Feeds on invertebrates, insects, etc. Eastern Texas, Red to Nueces River basins Medium to large rivers, reservoirs, sloughs Quiet, slow-moving waters, esp. over soft, muddy bottom with veg.

North American / Bullhead Catfishes Ictaluridae Pylodictis olivaris (Flathead Catfish) <= 5 ft. Gk. mud fish L. olive-colored Body slender, elongated; becoming moderately robust as adults; head depressed Mouth terminal, lower jaw projects beyond upper jaw *Feeds primarily on live fish Statewide, large streams, deep holes of medium/large rivers Deep quiet pools of main rivers

Gars Lepisosteidae Lepisosteus oculatus (Spotted Gar) <= 4 ft. Gk. bony scale L. provided with eyes (dark spots) Body long and cylindrical Mouth terminal Ambush piscivore (minnows, sunfishes), insects, shrimp Eastern Texas (Brazos River) Clear, quiet waters with aquatic vegetation, active at night

Walleye & Darters Percidae Etheostoma spectabile (Orangethroat Darter) <= 3 in. Gk. to strain, mouth conspicuous (breeding males) Body cross section oval Mouth terminal Benthic invertivore insect larvae, crustaceans Edwards Plateau, San Antonio River east to Red River Small to medium upland streams Shallow gravel riffles, raceways, pools, springs

Walleye & Darters Percidae Percina carbonaria (Texas Logperch) <= 5 in. Gk. a small perch, of or relating to charcoal (black coloration) Body elongate, subfusiform (tapered), compressed Mouth piglike snout Benthic invertivore Edwards Plateau, including Brazos/Bosque/Leon River watersheds Streams, small/medium rivers Hyperbenthic common in rocky riffles and runs

Walleye & Darters Percidae Percina sciera (Dusky Darter) <= 5 in. Gk. a small perch, dusky Body robust, rather compressed behind Mouth terminal Benthic invertivore Edwards Plateau east to Red River Medium/large streams not highly turbid

Livebearers Poeciliidae Gambusia affinis (Western Mosquitofish) <= 3 in. L. related Body terete, back nearly straight in profile Mouth terminal Surface feeder insect larvae, crustaceans, algae, fish fry, zooplankton Statewide Common in vegetated ponds, lakes, ditches, backwaters, oxbows

Cienega Diamond Y Spring

Pupfishes Cyrinodontidae Cyprinodon bovinus (Leon Springs Pupfish) <= 2 in. Gk. carp, tooth, Gk. belonging to a cow Body deep, wide Mouth upturned Generalist feeder diatoms, amphipods, ostracods Spring-fed wetland quiet water near edges Endangered FWS, 1980 nearly extinct

Phantom Cave

Endangered Species (desert springs) Cyprinodon elegans (Comanche Springs Pupfish) <= 2 in. Gambusia nobilis (Pecos Gambusia) <= 2 in. Spring-fed wetlands/canals near Balmorhea

Carps & Minnows Cyprinidae Hybognathus amarus (Rio Grande Silvery Minnow) <= 4 in. Once abundant in Rio Grande and Pecos basins, now existing only in scattered RG locations in NM reintroduced in Texas, Big Bend reach of RG (Endangered) Eggs are semi-buoyant and drift downstream Found in shallow water over silt substrates, eddies behind debris piles, pools, backwaters avoid main channel runs

References http://www.fishesoftexas.org http://www.bio.txstate.edu/~tbonner/txfishes http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/water /aquaticspecies/inland.phtml

Chris Harper Private Lands Biologist U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Austin Texas Ecological Services Office 512-490-0057 x 245 chris_harper@fws.gov