Aquatic Futures

This is all about fish, fishing, fisheries, and fish keeping.

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Here is a little scene of some footage I took of headwater catfish at the Devils River #fish #riversnorkeling #rivers #catfish #underwater #devilsriver

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I have been writing about these little guys for the last month. The fountain darter is an endangered species found only in the spring fed rivers of the Edwards Aquifer. #endangered #fisheries #texasfishes #underwaterphotography #fish #science

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Sunday sunfish #aquarium

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#fishface Friday

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Fish Surfing!

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The Western United States is not known for its diversity of freshwater fishes, but some places like the Colorado River are home to many unique species. One of which, the Bonytail chub (Gila elegans) is imbued with an elegance and power that allowed it to conquer one of the world’s mightiest rivers. Sadly, human beings have dammed the great Colorado River and the Bonytail so used to the fast flowing warm waters that rushed through the vast canyon systems of the Southwest are now trapped within cold deep stagnate reservoirs. This has lead to a massive drop in the population of Bonytail chub and the species is now on the IUCN’s Red List as critically endangered. All is not lost though; there are many state and federal agencies lead by the USFWS that are fighting to save this species by protecting remaining habitat, providing passage over dams, and through reintroduction into areas where they have been extirpated.      

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If you are ever snorkeling in mountain streams of the eastern Sierras be on the lookout for the Paiute sculpin. These cryptic little fish are hard to find, but are full of attitude and easily to photograph. Just make sure you pack a thick wetsuit because at a temperature of 40°F (~5°C) this water in cold.

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Three types of Salmonids, not a bad day of shocking the Truckee River. #fisheries

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Its fall and that means the Kokanee are running up TaylorCreek on their annual spawning migration here in Tahoe. Since I’m such a fish geek, I've made a little video highlighting these charming little fish. 

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California sheephead (Semicossyphus pulcher)

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Ptychochromis grandidieri #fishface

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Introduced armored suckermouth catfishes (plecos to aquarists) are scrubbing Floridian manatees of their algae growing on their skin. What impact this may have on the manatees is unknown; it could be possible the loss of algae renders the manatees less capable of thermoregulating and it’s also possible the manatees needlessly expend energy avoiding the catfish.

Nico, L. et al (2009) Interactions between non-native armored suckermouth catfish (Loricariidae: Pterygoplichthys) and native Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in artesian springs. Aquatic Invasions 4(3), 511–519.

Nico, L. (2010) Nocturnal and diurnal activity of armored suckermouth catfish (Loricariidae: Pterygoplichthys) associated with wintering Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). Neotropical Ichthyology 8(4) 893–898.

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Just another reason to keep all aquarium and pond plants and fish from getting into local water supplies.

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One of many reasons why plecostomus are one of the most destructive invasive species.

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The spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) spends the day alone or in pairs look for food, but at night they congregate in sheltered coves or bays gathering in larger groups for protection. 

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#lungfish

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A male Cyprichromis leptosoma, these pelagic cichlids from Lake Tanganyika comes in a variety of color morphs depending on geographic distribution.

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The #fish that has been in my #aquarium the longest is my porthole #catfish (Dianema longibarbis); which is over 15 years old.

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New Native Fish Found: The Cedar Sculpin

Cottus schitsuumsh, the Cedar Sculpin, a new fish species found in the Northern Rocky Mountains

There are still more species of fish to be found in the water ways of the Western North America. So many backcountry streams and tributaries are not well studied and could yield yet more new species. It just goes to show that the world is a big place and small treasures could even be hiding in our own backyard.