Slimy Sculpin

Fish > Sculpins

The Slimy Sculpin (Cottus cognatus) is an ecologically vital, bottom-dwelling coldwater fish native to pristine boreal streams and rocky lakes across northern North America and Siberia. Named for its smooth, scale-less skin coated in a thick protective mucus layer,...

Rainbow Shiner

Fish > Minnows & Cyprinids

The Rainbow Shiner (Notropis chrosomus) is an incandescent, jewel-like freshwater minnow endemic to the pristine upland river tributaries of the Mobile Bay basin in the southeastern United States. Renowned worldwide among freshwater aquarists and biologists for its...

Orangethroat Darter

Fish > Perches & Darters

The Orangethroat Darter (Etheostoma spectabile) is a breathtaking, jewel-toned benthic marvel that exemplifies the dazzling biodiversity of North American freshwater streams. Navigating shallow, rushing gravel riffles with rapid, darting movements, breeding males put...

Southern Redbelly Dace

Fish > Minnows & Carps

The Southern Redbelly Dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster) is widely celebrated by freshwater biologists as one of the most spectacularly colorful freshwater minnows in North America. Inhabiting the pristine, spring-fed headwater brooks of the Ozarks and Midwest, breeding...

Creek Chub

Fish > Minnows & Carps

The Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) is one of the most familiar and ecologically important freshwater stream fish in North America. Inhabiting small headwater creeks and gravel-bottomed runs, this hardy, heavy-bodied minnow is an apex predator of small stream...

Margined Madtom

Fish > Catfishes

The Margined Madtom (Noturus insignis) is a secretive, miniature freshwater catfish native to the clear, rocky streams of the eastern United States. Instantly recognized by the striking, narrow jet-black border framing its dorsal and tail fins, this nocturnal...

Central Stoneroller

Fish > Minnows & Carps

The Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) is a dynamic, ecologically essential herbivorous minnow native to the rocky, swift-flowing streams of central and eastern North America. Named for its habit of rolling river stones with its snout to build breeding nests...

Brook Stickleback

Fish > Sticklebacks

The Brook Stickleback (Culaea inconstans) is a fascinating, small freshwater fish famous for the sharp, isolated dorsal spines lining its back and the intricate bird-like nests constructed by breeding males. Inhabiting the quiet, weed-choked brooks and cold springs of...

Fantail Darter

Fish > Perches & Darters

The Fantail Darter (Etheostoma flabellare) is a tough, fascinating benthic fish native to the clean, rocky mountain creeks and gravel riffles of eastern North America. Unlike many brightly colored darters, it relies on sophisticated cryptic camouflage to blend into...

Iowa Darter

Fish > Darters & Perches

The Iowa Darter (Etheostoma exile) is a breathtakingly colorful miniature benthic perch native to the cool, vegetated glacial lakes and sluggish prairie streams of the northern Midwest. Unlike most river darters that specialize in torrential, gravelly rapids, this...