Banded sculpin
| Banded sculpin | |
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| Species: | C. carolinae
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| Binomial name | |
| Cottus carolinae Gill, 1861
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Habitat
Banded sculpins, Cottus carolinae, are freshwater fish that inhabit streams of all sizes, ranging from small streams to large upland rivers. Individuals of this species occupy clear, cool to warm water and are frequently found in springs and caves. They are found in various velocities of water but prefer the gravel and rubble of riffles where their dark and pale dorsal coloration camouflages them from potential predators.[1]
Aquatic Biomes
benthic, rivers and streams
The banded sculpin, Cottus carolinae, is a common benthic fish. It is found throughout much of the Ohio River Basin, including the Cumberland and Tennessee River drainages.[2] The banded sculpin uses different pool sizes ad riffle sizes during its lifetime. Adults are found almost exclusively in deep pools, while the young-of-the-year (YOY) is found almost exclusively in shallow riffles. Juveniles are found in both habitats. The size-specific habitat segregation is not influenced by water velocity but differences in predators. YOY are eaten by piscivorous fish, so they stay in the shallow riffles. While the adults stay in the deeper pools to avoid predation by piscivorous mammals.[3] The ecological effects of mining-derived metals on riffle-dwelling benthic fishes in southeast Missouri showed that the banded sculpin and many other sculpins can be used as sentinel species. As a sentinel species, the banded sculpin can be used to assess mining-related impacts on fish communities because the species richness is negatively correlated with metal concentrations in water but positively correlated with distance from mines.[4] Thus a plan to reduce mining-derived metals will help the populations in these rivers and streams. The banded sculpin is not currently listed as an endangered or threatened species. In order to catch a banded sculpin one would need a net and at least three people. Two people hold the net and the other kicks rocks up and scare the fish into the net. Do this in running, cool water for the best results. Before trying to catch a sculpin test the metal concentration in the water to determine whether you can catch one or not.
References
- ^ Etnier, D., W. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee: The University of Tennessee Press.
- ^ Niemiller, Matthew L.; Glorioso, Brad M.; Miller, Brian T. 2006. An eastern and subterranean maximum size record of the banded sculpin, Cottus carolinae, from Tennessee. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science. 81: 41-43.
- ^ Koczaja, C; McCall, L; Fitch, E, et al. 2005. Size-specific habitat segregation and intraspecific interactions in banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae). Southeastern Naturalist. 4: 207-218.
- ^ Allert, AL; Fairchild, JF; Schmitt, CJ, et al. 2009. Effects of mining-derived metals on riffle-dwelling benthic fishes in Southeast Missouri, USA. Ecotoxicology And Environmental Safety. 72: 1642-1651.
Etnier, D., W. Starnes. 1993. The Fishes of Tennessee. Knoxville, Tennessee: The University of Tennessee Press.
Allert, AL; Fairchild, JF; Schmitt, CJ, et al. 2009. Effects of mining-derived metals on riffle-dwelling benthic fishes in Southeast Missouri, USA. Ecotoxicology And Environmental Safety. 72: 1642-1651.
Bishop, C; Begley, B; Nicholas, C, et al. 2008. Shelter-use and interactions between banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae) and bigclaw crayfish (Orconectes placidus) in stream-pool habitats. Southeastern Naturalist. 7: 81-90.
Kerfoot, JR; Schaefer, JF. 2006. Ecomorphology and habitat utilization of Cottus species. Environmental Biology Of Fishes. 76:1-13.
Koczaja, C; McCall, L; Fitch, E, et al. 2005. Size-specific habitat segregation and intraspecific interactions in banded sculpin (Cottus carolinae). Southeastern Naturalist. 4: 207-218.
Niemiller, Matthew L.; Glorioso, Brad M.; Miller, Brian T. 2006. An eastern and subterranean maximum size record of the banded sculpin, Cottus carolinae, from Tennessee. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science. 81: 41-43.