Creek Chub,  Semotilus atromaculatus

 
Physical Description: 
�	Chubby, elongate body, moderate body form
�	Dorsal fin origin usually behind pelvic fin base
�	Medium-sized eye
�	Rounded snout; large, terminal mouth
�	Pale olive and silver sides
�	Dark spot at the anterior base of the dorsal fin
�	Dark stripe on side of body
�	Pale-colored fins

Similar species: 
�	Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis)

Mean body size:
�	Adults are 80-200 mm total length 

Habitat:
�	Creeks and streams of moderate and low gradient

Distribution in VA:
�	All of Virginia's drainages except the Chowan 

Food Habits:  
�	Omnivore 

Reproductive Habits: 
�	Mature at age 1 or 2 
�	Spawning occurs March to May at water temperatures of 12.5-19.5�C
�	Males dig a pit, then build a mound just upstream from the pit
�	Eggs are deposited in the pit, then covered with stones after each spawning period
�	Fecundity is about 1,115-7,539 eggs per female 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
�	Excellent baitfish

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.  

Goldfish Carp Grass Carp Silver Carp Golden Shiner Mtn. Redbelly Dace So. Redbelly Dace Rosyside Dace Longnose Dace Blacknose Dace Blacknose Dace Stoneroller Pearl Dace Fallfish Tonguetied Minnow Creek Chub Cutlips Minnow Bull Chub Bluehead Chub River Chub Slender Chub Streamline Chub Blotched Chub Kanawha Minnow Fatlips Minnow Stargazing Minnow Bigeye Chub Highback Chub Spotfin Chub Bigmouth Chub Whitetail Shiner Steelcolor Shiner Satinfin Shiner Spotfin Shiner Warpaint Shiner Crescent Shiner White Shiner Common Shiner Striped Shiner Mountain Shiner Rosefin Shiner Rosyface Shiner Tennessee Shiner Saffron Shiner Redlip Shiner Silver Shiner Popeye Shiner Telescope Shiner New River Shiner Sawfin Shiner Mirror Shiner Swallowtail Shiner Emerald Shiner Spottail Shiner Bridle Shiner Swallowtail Shiner Fieryblack Shiner Turquoise Shiner Fathead Minnow Fallfish Continue Browsing Families..... Petromyzontidae, Lampreys Polyodontidae, Paddlefish Acipenseridae, Sturgeons Lepisosteidae, Gars Amiidae, Bowfins Anguillidae, Freshwater Eels Amblyopsidae, Cavefishes Ictaluridae, Catfish Percopsidae, Trout-Perches Salmonidae, Trouts Clupeidae, Herrings Esocidae, Pikes Aphredoderidae, Pirate Perches Umbridae, Mudminnows Fundulidae, Killifishes Poeciliidae, Livebearers Cyprinidae, Minnows Catostomidae, Suckers Gasterosteidae, Sticklebacks Atherinidae, Silversides Cottidae, Sculpins Sciaenidae, Drums Percidae, Perches Moronidae, Striped Basses Centrarchidae, Sunfishes