Family: Cyprinidae Matt Wells

Campostoma anomalum : central stoneroller Distinguishable traits: laterally compressed brownish olive w/ brassy luster white bottom scattered dark scales subterminal mouth arch in the back adult length 7”

Campostoma anomalum : central stoneroller Habitat: small creeks cool water clear water hard bottom runs and riffles occasional to rare in larger, more turbid streams Distribution: northeast two-thirds of Iowa along the entire length of the Mississippi River

Campostoma anomalum : central stoneroller Diet: submerged objects algae bottom ooze tiny plants insect larvae mollusks

Campostoma anomalum : central stoneroller Reproduction: Spawn occurs in April males excavate nests by moving gravel nudging with their snouts hence name “stoneroller” male anal fins turn bright orange and black & tubercles develop on the upper half of the body 150-4,800 eggs per female

Campostoma anomalum : central stoneroller Conservation status: occasional to common at most locations common bait fish Other: other names -stoneroller, stone lugger, dough belly, racehorse chub, rotgut minnow, steel- backed chub, tallow-mouth minnow

References: Campostoma anomalum Matthew, J. (editor) Iowa Fish and Fishing. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines, Iowa. 323 pp. Accessed on Oct. 12, 2004, card.htmlhttp:// card.html Iowa Department of Natural Resources Biodiversity of Iowa: Aquatic Habitats. Accessed on Sept. 15, 2004, Kraft, C.E., D.M. Carlson, and S.C. Brown The On-line Fishes of New York State, Version 2.1. Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Accessed on Oct. 12, 2004,

Creek Chub Semotilus atromaculatus By: Andy Glass

Identification Large black spot at front of dorsal fin base Very large terminal mouth Small, flap-like barbel located is located in the groove in the middle of the upper jaw Wedge-shaped spot at the base of the tail

Characteristics Body color: olive to purplish changing to silvery-white on the belly lateral stripe:tip of the snout through the eye to the end of the caudal peduncle Breeding males: rosy tint on the body and large nuptial tubercles on head and snout. 6-9 inches, 12 inches by 4 years lateral line scales 8 Dorsal and Anal fin rays

Habitat/Diet Small to Medium size streams Silt free-gravel bars Widely distributed Seldom in lakes, resevoirs, and large rivers Aquatic and terrestrial insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, mollusks, and small fishes

Distribution fish/iafish/cr-chub.html

Reproduction/Misc Breeding male digs pits for females to lay eggs Spowning May-June: water temperature about 65 degrees Provide some angling Principal bait fish One of the most dominant fish in Iowa’s streams Other names - horned dace, blackspot chub, brook chub, northern creek chub, silvery chub, common chub, tommycod, mud chub

References North American Freshwater Index Images, Maps and Information Available at September 2004http:// Iowa Department of Natural Resources IowaDNR Fish and Fishing. Available at September 2004http:// L.M. Page and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes. Houghton Mifflin, New York The NFC’s Native Fish Photo Gallery. Available at Natural Images. Available at September 2004http:// North America Freshwater Fishes Index Images, Maps and Immages Available at September TheJump.net. Available at September 2004http:// North American Fishes Association Four Mile Creek Watershed Fish Study Archive. Available at September Fly Anglers Online Summer in South Dakota. Available at September 2004http://

Topeka Shiner Notropis topeka

Identification 1.5 to 2.0 inches long Olive-yellow back with dark-edged scales Caudle fin has black wedge at base Upper jaw doesn’t extend beyond front of eye 6 to 8 anal rays

Habitat and range Lives in small prairie streams with cool clean water Requires clean rock or gravel bottoms Historically all over the Midwest, now greatly isolated and cut off from rest of population.

Reproduction Omnivorous Season 8-10 weeks in mid may Water temp. 22 degrees C Share nest with sunfish eggs per clutch

Conservation and Importance Endangered nation wide and threatened in Iowa Can be an important indicator of water quality Numbers to low to be considered ecologically important

Citations Iowa department of natural resources. Iowa fish and fishing, available at: Fishes of Minnesota, available at: Endangered species guide sheet, available at: / / Us Fish and Wildlife Service. Mountain-Prairie region endangered species program, available at: prairie.fws.gov/species/fish/shiner/index.htmhttp://mountain- prairie.fws.gov/species/fish/shiner/index.htm

Black Buffalo (Ictiobus niger) Kate Walker Identification: –Large conical head –Nearly terminal, slightly oblique mouth –Wide body –Adults w/ rounded, keeled nape –Thicker lips than cousin –Slate colored –Usually lateral scales iniger__/iniger_1.jpg

Ictiobus niger Distribution: lower Great Lakes to Mississippi River Basin Eastern Iowa/Mississippi Habitat: –prefer strong currents –pools & backwaters of small to large rivers –impoundments –lakes county/dmaps2/ic_niger.gif

Ictiobus niger Diet: –mainly mollusks and insects; –also crayfish, duckweed, diatoms and blue-green algae Reproduction: –spawning in shallow waters during spring; – initiated by female; –eggs covered in thick membrane

Ictiobus niger Conservation status: rare Economical/Recreational Importance: exceptional game sport Other: –Ictiobus=bull fish; niger=dark –world record 63lbs. 6oz. from Mississippi River, IA –been found in areas with smallmouth buffalo

References Black Buffalo Identification Sheet Available at October 12, Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr Freshwater Fishes. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. Texas Parks and Wildlife. August 13, Black Buffalo. Available at October 11, Tulane University. Spawning in the Black Buffalo. Available at October 13, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. July Black Buffalo. Available at October 11, 2004http://