SpotfinChub in North Carolina

DESCRIPTION, BIOLOGY AND HABITAT
The spotfin chub is a small, slender fish, not exceeding 4 inches in length. Juveniles, females, and nonbreeding males have tan-, gray-, or olive-colored backs, bright silvery sides, and white bellies. A dark spot is sometimes visible at the base of the tail. Large breeding males have olive or tan backs, brilliant iridescent turquoise or royal blue on the upper sides of their bodies, and midsides and bellies that are silvery cream. Their fins are satiny turquoise and sometimes have a gold glint.  The spotfin chub spawns from mid-May to early September. Females deposit eggs in crevices between rocks. Males fertilize the eggs and stay to defend the eggs by swimming repeatedly over the nest site. Although  some individuals may spawn at 1 year of age, most spotfin chubs reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age. Spotfins apparently do not live past 3 years of age.

The spotfin inhabits clear water over gravel, boulders, and bedrock in large creeks and medium-sized rivers having moderate current. The fish is rarely seen over sand, and this species appears to avoid silty areas. The spotfin feeds by sight and taste on tiny insect larvae that occur on the stream bottom.

WHY IS THIS FISH SO RARE AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO PRESERVE IT
The spotfin chub is known historically trom twelve Tennessee River tributaries in the States of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. However, much of the species? historic habitat has been destroyed or seriously altered. Most of the Tennessee River and many of its tributaries are now impounded. Forested watersheds have been cleared, and many streams are chocked with silt. Others streams are polluted by domestic, agricultural,  ining, and industrial wastes. As a result of this habitat loss, the species now survives in only four isolated tributary systems-the Buffalo River, Lewis County, Tennessee; Emory River (including the Obed River, Clear Creek, and Daddys Creek), Morgan, Cumberland, and Fentess Counties, Tennessee; North Fork Holston River, Hawkins and Sullivan Counties, Tennessee, and Scott and Washington Counties, Virginia; and Little Tennessee River, Macon and Swain Counties, North Carolina.

Some streams have begun to improve, and spotfin recovery efforts are underway. During the past few falls, adult spotfin chubs have been collected from the Little Tennessee River in North Carolina. These fish have been released into Abrams Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Blount County, Tennessee, in an attempt to reestablish one of the lost populations. Other streams are being considered for possible reintroductions. To further help in the recovery program, some spotfin chubs have been brought into the laboratory with the hope that they will reproduce in captivity.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Toxic chemicals have killed aquatic life in many of our nation's rivers.  Because the spotfin chub now exists in only short river reaches, populations of this species could be easily lost to pollutants. Remember, whatever we put on the land may eventually enter our rivers Be careful with the use and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers used motor oil and other chemicals, especially near any creek, no matter how small.

Siltation is another major problem for aquatic life. Silt can bury the eggs and young of spotfin chubs, and silt can reduce the number and diversity of aquatic insects that the fish depends upon for food. A wide buffer strip of natural vegetation along waterways could help filter out silt from disturbed lands.   Livestock and their waste cause pollution and should be kept out of waterways and away from stream banks.  Be concerned with the quality of the Tennessee River and its tributaries.  Watch for fish kills, illegal dumping of waste, unusual water color, smell, and other changes in the river?s condition. Report such events to your State conservation agency.

Rivers and streams and the plant and animal life that inhabit them are now dependent on us for survival. These natural places, with their diversity of life, can benefit from and be enjoyed by all of us; with our help, they can be there for future generations.
 
 

Species Distribution from known occurrences. Species may occur in similar habitats in other counties. Green counties indicate observed within 20 years. Yellow counties indicate an obscure data reference to the species in the county. Red counties indicate observed more than 20 years ago.

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