Feb 26, 2023
Midwest fish series! (More experimental paper work happening..) This is the skipjack herring, which used to populate the upper Midwest rivers and was effectively eradicated by the Keokuk dam in Iowa. The dam prevented the fish from being able to spawn upriver. They are also the sole transporter of the native elephant ear and ebony shell mussel babies, and their disappearance is contributing to the mass mussel die-offs in midwestern rivers. Mussels are important for water filtration, but it’s hard to empathize with a living rock, so fish are easier.. The skipjacks still inhabit rivers down south, and if you like fishing, they’re a great sport fish because they like to jump around
