Northern Studfish, Fundulus catenatus

 
Physical Description: 
�	Elongate, narrow body
�	Small, terminal mouth
�	Large eye
�	Teeth on jaws
�	No spines on fins
�	Slightly round tail fin
�	Dorsal fin is located over the anal fin, both large
�	Large plate-like scales on the head
�	Dark horizontal stripes or dashes on the body 
�	Males with tubercles on fins 
�	Spawning males with a black band on the anterior part of tail fin

Similar species: 
�	Southern studfish (Fundulus stellifer)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 60-95 mm standard length 

Habitat:
�	Pools and slow runs in clear, warm rivers

Distribution in VA:
�	Tennessee drainage except the South Fork of the Holston River

Food Habits:  
�	Aquatic and terrestrial insects, microcrustaceans, and other invertebrates 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 1 and 2
�	Spawning occurs from mid-May to early August at 13-23OC
�	Eggs laid on clean gravel
�	Fecundity is 28-245 eggs per female

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Largest killifish
�	Brightly colored

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.

Banded Killifish Lined Topminnow Mummichog Northern Studfish Speckled Killifish Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes