Riverine Fish

Ohio is blessed with an abundance of water, but like all developing areas, past and present land use practices affect our water resources.

Land uses that allow soil to runoff into our waterways cause silting of streams and increased turbidity, which can result in a lower quality of water and thus a loss in the diversity of aquatic organisms.

Fish have specific habitat requirements, thus the health of a fish community can tell us a great deal about the quality of the waterway where they reside.

Riverine Fish of Ohio's Scenic Rivers

Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus)

Blacknose DaceThis species is characteristic of small streams and brooks in Ohio having moderate or high gradients, clear waters, and clean substrates composed of sand, gravel, and cobble. While predominately a pool dwelling species, riffles with gravel substrates are necessary for spawning. This species is more tolerant to increased water turbidities than other species of dace found in Ohio streams, but disappears if pool substrates become too silted.