Freshwater Fish Species Agriscience nd Period By: Dustin Carnahan

Objectives Students will be able to: 1.Label the external parts of a fish. 2.List and describe five types of freshwater fish found in Texas.

Freshwater fish are those species that live in waters from 0 to 5 (parts per thousand) salt content. This includes rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, ponds, and reservoirs.

Game Fish Species Game fish are regulated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Game fish are regulated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. They are mainly predators even though they may eat vegetation. They are mainly predators even though they may eat vegetation. Many species have natural hybrids. “They cross and mate between two similar species.” Many species have natural hybrids. “They cross and mate between two similar species.” In the case of the Florida largemouth bass and the hybrid striped bass, human involvement was incurred. In the case of the Florida largemouth bass and the hybrid striped bass, human involvement was incurred. Regardless if the species is pure or a hybrid, all game fish have a statewide bag limit and have many length limits. Regardless if the species is pure or a hybrid, all game fish have a statewide bag limit and have many length limits.

Freshwater Fish Identification

Bass

Largemouth Bass Widely distributed in lakes and streams Widely distributed in lakes and streams Green with dark blotches running down the sides Green with dark blotches running down the sides Dorsal fin is almost divided, containing rays. Dorsal fin is almost divided, containing rays. When mouth is closed, the upper jaw extends beyond the posterior of the eye. When mouth is closed, the upper jaw extends beyond the posterior of the eye.

Smallmouth Bass Golden green sides and back, wavy olive blotches along side Golden green sides and back, wavy olive blotches along side There are five olive-green bars that radiate back and one radiates forward from each eye. There are five olive-green bars that radiate back and one radiates forward from each eye. Trophy size only reach 3-4 lbs. Trophy size only reach 3-4 lbs. Feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and large insects, but will also feed on forage. Feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and large insects, but will also feed on forage. Prefer flowing water but, can be found in lakes. Prefer flowing water but, can be found in lakes.

Hybrid Striped Bass Cross between striped bass and white bass. Cross between striped bass and white bass. Adults range from 6 to 60 lbs. Adults range from 6 to 60 lbs. Sharp points on tips of gill covers Sharp points on tips of gill covers Has 7-8 horizontal stripes on sides, referring to the name. Has 7-8 horizontal stripes on sides, referring to the name.

White Bass Originally found only in waters of Caddo Lake in far East Texas. Originally found only in waters of Caddo Lake in far East Texas. Has double dorsal fin, front spiny fin is separated from rear soft- rayed portion. Has double dorsal fin, front spiny fin is separated from rear soft- rayed portion. Dark gray to black on back and bright silver on sides and white belly. Dark gray to black on back and bright silver on sides and white belly. Dusky stripes run length of body. Dusky stripes run length of body. Adv. size 1 to 1 ½ lbs. Adv. size 1 to 1 ½ lbs.

Yellow Bass Gets name from color on belly and sides. Gets name from color on belly and sides. Bottom two stripes are broken slightly behind the middle. Bottom two stripes are broken slightly behind the middle. Travels in schools. Travels in schools. Likes rocky and gravel bottoms. Likes rocky and gravel bottoms. Feed on fish, insects, and crustaceans. Feed on fish, insects, and crustaceans. Less than 1 pound Less than 1 pound

Catfish

Channel Catfish Native to all streams and rivers. Native to all streams and rivers. Forked tail, distinguishes from all other catfish except (Blue Catfish). Forked tail, distinguishes from all other catfish except (Blue Catfish). Silvery gray in color, silvery white on belly Silvery gray in color, silvery white on belly Small black spots found on sides, but they become absent in large adults. Small black spots found on sides, but they become absent in large adults.

Blue Catfish Range in color from slate-blue to grayish brown on their back and sides. Range in color from slate-blue to grayish brown on their back and sides. Forked tail Forked tail Reach up to 300 lbs. Reach up to 300 lbs. Big river fish Big river fish Prefer clear fast moving water with hard sand, or gravel bottoms. Prefer clear fast moving water with hard sand, or gravel bottoms. Feeds on shad and other schooling baitfish. Feeds on shad and other schooling baitfish.

Flathead Catfish

Yellow Bullhead

Crappie

Crappie White Crappie White Crappie Silvery green, silver- white belly Silvery green, silver- white belly Vertical bars on sides Vertical bars on sides Dorsal fin has max of 6 spines. Dorsal fin has max of 6 spines. Black Crappie Black Crappie Black blotches Black blotches Not statewide, found in East Texas Not statewide, found in East Texas

Trout

Rainbow Trout Cold-water species, stocked annually in Texas waters. Cold-water species, stocked annually in Texas waters. Body shape like a salmon. Body shape like a salmon. Dark Olive back color, speckled sides, has pink to red stripe along the length of side. Dark Olive back color, speckled sides, has pink to red stripe along the length of side. Carnivores, feed on insects crustaceans, mollusks and fish. Carnivores, feed on insects crustaceans, mollusks and fish. Live in saltwater but return to rivers to breed. Live in saltwater but return to rivers to breed. Can survive when confined to freshwater. Can survive when confined to freshwater.

Walleye Member of perch family. Member of perch family. Large eyes, two separate dorsal fins. Large eyes, two separate dorsal fins. Cold-water species Cold-water species Dark blotches on a yellow-greenish brown base. Dark blotches on a yellow-greenish brown base. Reach lbs. Reach lbs. State Record 25 lbs. State Record 25 lbs.

Summary 1. 5 types of freshwater species Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Trout, Walleye Bass, Catfish, Crappie, Trout, Walleye 2. Labeling external fish parts. Dorsal Fin, Caudal Fin, Anal Fin, Pelvic Fin, Pectoral Fin, Operculum Dorsal Fin, Caudal Fin, Anal Fin, Pelvic Fin, Pectoral Fin, Operculum