| Endangered Species: Longhead Darter Fish |
A Christiansburg Elementary Project
Submitted by Ellen
Christiansburg Elementary School, Christiansburg, U.S.A.
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Photography courtesy of Virginia's Endangered Species |
Why Study This Topic?
When I started on this report, I did not even know
anything about the Longhead Darter fish. I did not even know that the Darter
fish existed. The only reason that I wanted to do a report on a fish was
its name sounded interesting. After I had read a little about the Longhead
Darter I found out that it was rather interesting. I thought because it
was a fish that it was going to be boring, but actually the information
had many interesting facts. Some of those facts I did not even know that
a fish could have or do.
What Was Already Known
Before searching about this fish, I knew nothing about
the Longhead Darter fish. The Darter is only known in the Clinch River
system. The pollution and the empoundments kill them. Little is known about
their endangerment. Their eggs and larvae can be smothered by silt. The
silt comes because the adults are very found of it. The silt sometimes
gets near the eggs and wraps around the eggs. Then if it wraps around the
eggs too tight. Then it can smothers the eggs.
Search for Information
A good bit of my information came from my teacher.
She gave me all of the information in my research folder that I got it
when I picked my animal. One of the other places I searched was on the
Internet. I searched many places on the Internet. Another source of information
was on my computer Groliers Encyclopedia. The last place I looked was in
many different encyclopedias. I had the biggest problem finding information
about the Darters' adaptations and about their population.
Description
The Darter fish is rather long. Adults can get 65
to 90 mm long. Their body is moderately long with a long head and snout.
The snout is also fairly sharp. The Darters membranes are separate, and
they have a caudal fin. Their cheek and operacle is usually naked. The
male Darters sometimes have scales. The females have scales, only on their
belly.
The upper side of their body is olive to brown,
and the markings are brown to black. A yellow stripe is placed above the
pale green blochtes on their back. Their dorsal fin is bright orange, and
other fins are commonly pale yellow.
Also they have tessellated spines and rays with
pale segments (pale yellow) on their backs. The dark segments are dark
too dusky. The bodies of the Darter fish are very interesting to me.
Habitat Requirements
The Darter fish inhabits cool and warm water. The
water is typically clear or slightly turbid. They live in streams and rivers.
The Darter fish is most common in the Nolichucky River. They hide in the
long growths of riverweed alongside the river. They also swim in the chutelike
water in the South Fork Holston River. They prefer cold creeks and warm
streams. The adults accompany them when they go back and forth. Darter
fish also eat the algae off of the riverweed and the piers.
Adaptations
The Darters' predators are humans. Humans and bigger
fish are the natural enemies. I have not found any other specific enemies.
Their prey is mayfly, midge, and blackfly larvae. Both male and female
mature as one year olds, and individuals live three years. They breed between
late June and mid-August. Their spots and semi-stripes help them to hide
in the riverweed. Their sharp snout is excellent for picking insects from
small places between stones. The male is a turquoise-color to match with
the rocks and riverweed. The largest Darter known in Virginia is 70mm long.
Reasons for Endangerment
Humans fishing for the Darter is not a big reason
for their endangerment. Impoundment is a serious problem for them. Pollution
in the rivers, and siltation are also main reasons for their endangerment.
A lot of species have not survived any impoundment in the Tennessee drainage.
The Longhead Darter is very rare. Only 27 specimens in 16 collections are
known now in Virginia. Since 1970, the Longhead Darter has only been known
in a few rivers.
Restoration Actions
People have tried to make systems for the Darter fish
to get through the drainage. Many of the systems have not worked. People
also have tried to make laws to protect pollution from being dumped into
the rivers where they live. Scientists think that the Darters' population
should be monitored regularly. The Darters would benefit from a reduction
of silt in the main Clinch River system.
What Was Learned
First of all, I learned that the Darter fish existed
and that it was endangered. I also learned they are not as endangered as
much by humans, but because silt is clogging their streams. I had little
trouble finding information. I did have trouble finding their adaptations.
and their population. I also learned that scientists have tried to prevent
pollution and drainage in the rivers.
Conclusions From Research
There wasn't many conclusions in this search because
I was not aware of anything about this fish. This was more of an information
search. I got a lot of help from my teacher. I also looked several places
for information. I thought I was rather responsible in doing this search.
Even though, sometimes, I did not try my hardest. As I first started this
search I did not have much confidence in myself. That is mostly because
I knew nothing about the fish. I have had a lot of experience researching.
I have done this for many years. I found had a lot of information about
the Darter so that kept my hopes high.
Bibliography
Terwilliger, Karen. 1991. Virginia Endangered Species.
Pages 866-868, 827-830, and 394-395
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to Fish page.
If you would like to add to these Endangered Species
pages then email your contributions to Christiansburg
Elementary
© copyright 1997
Christiansburg Elementary |
Last updated on March 9, 1998
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