Centered in Appalachia, the southeastern region of the United States holds more freshwater fish diversity than anywhere else in the temperate world. In our rivers and streams, a vast array of species, spanning numerous taxonomic groupings, have diversified into an equally vast selection of shapes and colors.
Here, I've collected images taken along the full length of the Appalachians, from Maine to southern Tennessee.
During spring, many species don brilliant spawning colors, rivalling tropical reefs in spectacle. Some species, primarily chub of the genus Nocomis, build elaborate nest mounds in which they deposit their eggs. Numerous other species have evolved to take advantage of these mounds for their own progeny. These species are called "nest associates," and their swarms are some of the most spectacular events that most naturalists have never heard of.
Across much of the southeastern United States, bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) are an abundant and extremely important species. Each spring, males build large mounds of gravel in which females deposit their eggs. These mounds are such good nesting sites that a large number of other species have adapted to utilize them as well. Here, mountain redbelly dace (Chrosomus oreas), rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides), and a lone common shiner (Luxilus cornutus, he's in the background) take advantage of this chub's hard work. This image was taken about a week after I first noticed this mound - it was about twice its original size at this point.
The Roanoke Logperch (Percina rex) is one of Appalachia's greatest conservation success stories. Found only in the Roanoke River basin, it was once federally listed as endangered. It was recently de-listed, following extensive conservation efforts (including captive breeding and habitat management).
Across much of the southeastern United States, bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) are an abundant and extremely important species. Each spring, males build large mounds of gravel in which females deposit their eggs. These mounds are such good nesting sites that a large number of other species have adapted to utilize them as well. Here, mountain redbelly dace (Chrosomus oreas) and rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides) take advantage of this chub's hard work.
