Similarities & Differences Among NY's Endangered & Threatened Fishes
| Species | Description | Habitat | Reproduction | Feeding | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Whitefish | 8-12" long Long, tubular body, nearly round mid-section Olive brown on top to silver below. Young have parr marks (rows of black dots) Head-short; mouth-small with snout longer than lower jaw Nostrils have single flap |
Prefers shallow areas of lakes and clear streams | Spawns in fall (Nov-Dec) Eggs are broadcast over shoals of lakes or at river mouths |
Bottom feeder Eats a variety of invertebrates; mayfly larva, chironomid larvae, small mollusks, crustaceans, fish and fish eggs |
New York status: Endangered Once found in over 35 Adirondack lakes and ponds, now limited to only six Adirondack water bodies Population declines due to predation by yellow perch on eggs and fry; tapeworm infection; overfishing; loss of spawning sites; siltation; and lake acidification |
| Shortnose Sturgeon | 24-42" long Olive-yellow to gray-blue on top; milky white to dark yellow on bottom Five rows of scutes (bony plates) Short, conical snout with four barbels in front of large, underslung mouth Black peritoreim (body cavity lining) |
Found in river mouths and estuaries | Spawns April - May Anadromous: adults migrate from saltwater to spawn in freshwater Spawning is not a yearly event for most shortnose sturgeon; males spawn every two years, females every three years |
Bottom feeder: uses barbels to locate food Eats sludge worms, aquatic insect larvae, snails, shrimp, crayfish and plants |
New York status: Endangered Long-lived: females up to 62 years old; males up to 32 years old Found only in the lower portion of the Hudson River from Southern tip of Manhattan to Federal Dam at Troy Population declines due to: pollution, overexploitation for eggs (caviar) and meat, and construction of dams blocking spawning ponds |
| Pugnose Shinner | 1.5-2" long Light, straw-colored back; silvery sides; white belly Mouth small, sharply upturned Back stripe along sides from tip of lower jaw to tail fin; scales on back are darkly outlined |
Prefers clear, slowwater areas of large streams and lakes with plenty of vegetation | Spawns in spring Little else known |
Not known | New York status: Endangered One of North America's rarest minnows. In New York, has been found in Irondequoit Bay, Sodus Bay, Little Sodus Bay, French Creek (Jefferson County) and the St. Lawrence River Primary cause of population decline is thought to be increased turbidity |
| Eastern Sand Darter | 2-3" long Long, slender body, no scales on belly Upper body is fluorescent violet, flesh is transparent Row of 10-17 dark spots on sides and top |
Occurs in clear streams with a sand bottom | Little known Thought to spawn May-late August |
Primarily eats aquatic insect larvae | New York status: Endangered Found in NE Washington County; NE St. Lawrence County; NW Franklin County; and Lake Erie Major cause of population decline is loss of clean, sandy substrate due to siltation Will bury itself in sandy bottom, leaving only the eyes exposed |
| Bluebreast Darter | 2-3" long Blunt, rounded snout Olive green body with a broad, light band next to the dark edge of second dorsal fin, anal and caudal fins Gill covers not connected across the breast |
Prefers fast-flowing stream sections with a bottom of sandy gravel and large stones | Spawns in spring (May-June) Adults migrate from deep water stream areas to riffles. Eggs are deposited behind large rocks |
Primarily eats aquatic insect larvae | New York status: Endangered Found in the upper reaches of the Allegheny drainage basin Breeding males very colorful with orange tinted dorsal fins, small crimson spots on sides, and bright blue breast |
| Gilt Darter | 2-3" long Olive to blue-green body with 5-8 dark blotches along back and square blotches on sides Row of specialized scales along midline of belly Gill covers connected across breast |
Prefers clear, fast-flowing gravel or rubble riffles where algae and other aquatic vegetation beds occur | Little known Bright colored males (indicating spawning) have been found in stream riffle areas in the spring |
No studies, but assumed to feed on aquatic insects | New York status: Endangered Location in the State restricted to the Allegheny River Decline in population attributed to increased siltation Breeding males are colorful, with 5-8 blue-green vertical bands, bright red blotches on sides, orange breast and dorsal fin, and dark blue pelive and anal fins |
| Spoonhead Sculpin | 1.5 - 2.5" long (up to 5") Slender, tubular body; flat, triangle-shaped head; gill covers attached to breast No scales, body covered with prickles Olive brown on top; light yellow on sides; white belly; head, body and fins are speckled |
Found in turbid rivers or deep areas of lakes | Spawn in fall Little else known |
No studies; but assumed to eat plankton and bottom-dwelling aquatic insects | New York status: endangered Once found in lakes Erie and Ontario, now believed to extirpated from these lakes Cause of decline is unknown |
| Deepwater Sculpin | 2 - 4.5" long (up to 9") Long, tapered body; blunt head; large mouth; well separated dorsal fins; 2nd dorsal fin large No scales-prickles on top of body; 4 spines on cheek; gill covers free from breast Grey-brown with light underside; speckled back & sides; dark marks on back |
Found in deep, cool (40F or less) waters of lakes Spawns summer to early fall Little else known |
Eats small crustaceans and bottom-dwelling aquatic insects | New York status: endangered Found in Lake Ontario Decline in population thought to be due in part to competition by alewives and rainbow smelt |
|
| Lake Sturgeon | 3 - 5 feet long (up to 7 ft) Torpedo-shaped body covered with 5 rows of bony plates Sharp. cone-shaped snout with 4 barbels; large mouth Dull gray body color |
Found in freshwater lakes and large rivers Also can occur in brackish water |
Spawns in spring (May-June) Prior to spawning, adults form groups in deep holes off spawning site Eggs scattered in areas of clear, large rubble. Eggs are scattered by current & stick to rocks and logs |
Bottom feeders; use barbels to locate food & suck into mouth Eats leeches, snails, clams, other invertebrates, small fish and even algae |
New York status: threatened New York's largest freshwater fish. Very long-lived- up to 150 years. Found in Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, Niagara River, St. Lawrence River, Grasse River, Oswegatchie River & Black Lake. Population declines attributed to: dam construction that cut off spawning grounds; overexploitation for caviar & smoked flesh; and pollution |
| Mooneye | 11 - 15" long Flattened, silvery, slab-body with large eyes, short snout, smooth scales on belly Teeth on tongue & middle of roof of mouth |
Prefers clear water of large streams, rivers and lakes | Spawns in spring (Mar-May) Migrates into swift-water areas of rivers to deposit eggs over rocks. Eggs covered in gelatinous material similar to frog's eggs |
Eats insects, crustaceans, small fish and mollusks | New York status: threatened Modest-sized population in Lake Champlain. Thought to be extirpated from Lake Ontario Population decrease due in part to increased siltation in mooneye waters |
| Lake Chubsucker | 8 - 10" long Stubby body; large scales; suctorial mouth; short, blunt snout; small eyes Dark olive-green on top; silver-gold on sides; green-yellow on belly; young have dark striped along side (becomes bars in adult) |
Found in clear, vegetated areas of lakes & slow-water sections of large streams with sandy or gravel bottoms. Intolerant of turbid & silty waters |
Spawns in spring Eggs are scattered over vegetation or gravel (cleaned by the males) |
Eats copepods, cladocerans and aquatic insect larvae found on the bottom | New York status: threatened Found in embayments along the southern shore of Lake Ontario and in the Lake Erie drainage basin prior to 1939 |
| Mud Sunfish | 5 - 6.5" long Smooth scales; round tail; brown eyes Five distinct lines along sides Reddish brown on top; pale brown on belly |
Found in lowland streams and bogs. Prefers areas with heavy plant growth and a silty or muddy bottom | Spawn in spring Males prepare nests Little else known |
No food studies, but assumed to feed primarily on other fishes | New York status: threatened Similar in appearance to rockbass but color brownish Found only in the Hackensack River prior to 1935 |
| Longear Sunfish | 2 - 4.5" long Thin, deep-bodied; short, round pectoral fins that do not extend above lateral lime Long, flexible ear flap; gill covers with flexible, frilled margins Olive to rusty-brown back; orange belly; and blue-green bars on sides of head |
Prefers densely weeded areas with a gravel or sand bottom Avoids strong currents and silt |
Spawns in summer (June-Aug) Males construct saucer-shaped nests in colonies in shallow water areas that have a gravel or sand bottom Males protect eggs and young |
Eats snails, leeches and aquatic insects | New York status: threatened Similar in appearance to pumpkinseed Found only in the Niagara and western Lake Ontario drainage basins Decline in numbers attributed to: siltation; water quality deterioration; and hybridization with pumpkinseed & green sunfish |