Fallfish, Semotilus corporalis
Physical Description:
� Slightly compressed body, moderate body form
� Dorsal fin origin usually above anterior half of pelvic fin base
� Medium-sized eye
� Moderately rounded snout; slightly large mouth, almost inferior
� Fully scaled or nearly fully scaled breast
� Males get tubercles on front and side of snout over eye, lower cheek, and most fins
� Silver-sided
� Smudge at the anterior base of the dorsal fin
� Dusky dorsal and tail fin edges
Similar species:
� Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus)
Mean body size:
� Adults are 150-300 mm standard length
Habitat:
� Clear creeks and rivers of moderate and low gradient
Distribution in VA:
� James, York, Rappahannock, and Potomac drainages
� Introduced into the Roanoke drainage
Food Habits:
� Young feed on phytoplankton, zooplankton, and insects
� Juveniles and adults eat insects, crayfish, fish, algae, and detritus
Reproductive Habits:
� Mature at age 2 or 3
� Spawning occurs late April to June at water temperatures of 14.4-19�C
� Nests are dome-like mounds with a pit in the downstream part, built with gravel-sized stones, topped with small rubble
� Fecundity is about 2,000-12,000 eggs per female
� Can naturally hybridize with Clinostomus funduloides and Luxilus cornutus
Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance:
� Largest minnow east of the Rockies
� Constructs the largest stone mound nests known
� Popular gamefish with some anglers
� Varied opinions on the taste of the meat
References:
Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.
If you are seeking more information for the above species click on the VAFWIS logo (The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service):
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Polyodontidae, Paddlefish
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