Swampfish, Chologaster cornuta

 
Physical Description: 
Tiny eyes
No pelvic fins
Elongate body, round anteriorly and compressed posteriorly
Depressed head
Supraterminal mouth with a fleshy lower lip that occludes the upper lip
Papillae on head, body, and caudal fin
Cycloid scales are tiny and embedded
No gill rakers
Male snout tip with a Y-shaped fleshy appendage; female snout tip with two fleshy bumps
Short, rounded dorsal fin
Spatulate caudal fin
Brown back, black stripes, orange or yellow cast on the head

Similar species: 
Springfish (Chologaster agassizi)

Mean body size:
Adults are 25-50 mm standard length 

Habitat:
Lowland swampy rivers, ponds, and lakes that are acidic and bog-like

Distribution in VA:
Chowan, Chickahominy systems in the James drainage, and Dismal Swamp

Food Habits:  
Midge larvae, amphipods, cladocerans
Feed at night

Reproductive Habits: 
Usually die after spawning
Spawning occurs in early March through mid-April at 13-19°C
Fecundity is 339-426 eggs.
Maybe branchial brooding, but no evidence of this 

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
Aquarium fish

References:       

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