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Subject: Darter 24
Date: Fri, 23 May 1997 13:07:08
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DARTER NEWSLETTER MAY-JUNE 1997 NUMBER 24
The DARTER is a bimonthly publication of the North American
Native Fishes Association (NANFA). Topics reported in this news
letter include fish studies, rare or unusual occurrences, manage
ment and recovery programs, environmental issues, trivia, col
lecting trips, meetings, aquarium care, and breeding accounts. A
Trading Post section is also provided for members to sell or
trade fish, plants, books, and merchandise. Send news items, want
ads, comments, changes in address, and membership dues ($15/yr:
N.America-$17/yr:other continents) to Konrad Schmidt, Darter
Editor at the return address, phone: (612) 776-3468, or email:
schmi144 at tc_umn.edu
JUST A REMINDER - The Darter Editor will be on hiatus from his
normal duties till November. He'll be resting in northern
Minnesota doing stream surveys in some really beautiful country
and also hoping to find new localities for a few oddball fishes.
It may sound like desertion, but the Darter has been left in the
capable hands of Kaye Goddard who is eagerly awaiting your an
nouncements, news items, and trading post ads. Please don't
disappoint her and make a mail drop today. Address: 3944 N. Farm
Rd. 39, Ash Grove, MO 65604. Phone: 417-751-3268.
WETBACKS - George Becker (Eureka Springs, AR) and the Darter
Editor were discussing Robert Rice's article on the orangethroat
darter (Etheostoma spectabile) in the Fall 1996 American Currents
and pondered over the possibility that the species, which has
never been reported in Wisconsin, had or does infiltrate the
southern border swimming up the Fox River. The species' range in
the Fox system of northern Illinois is within a stones throw of
the state line and the river extends a considerable distance into
Wisconsin. I have likewise wondered about additional alien
excursions from Iowa into Minnesota. The blackstripe topminnow
(Fundulus notatus) has been reported in the Little Cedar River
(Mitchell County, IA) and the western silvery minnow (Hybognathus
argyritis) in the Little Sioux River (Dickson County, IA). Even
more suspicious is the presence of the starhead topminnow (Fundu
lus dispar) on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River
(Trempealeau County), but absent across the shared border on the
Minnesota bank. Let's use the DARTER to spread the word on
potential range extensions and beef up our border patrols to
detect and welcome these pioneering Pisces.
WELCOMED RASH - The Darter Editor has received dues from several
members who are renewing for two and three years. There is
another extremely encouraging sign that more members are renewing
before they expire. For someone who has been in and out of NANFA
since the 1970s, this is the most exciting and rewarding period I
have so far witnessed in the organization. I have never seen
this level of member participation and interest. Definitely one
itch I will never mind scratching and hope there is no cure for
my condition. By the way, we now have 460 fish heads in our
ranks and steadily add 3-5 new members each week including a
surfer or two off NANFA's web page. Editor's Note: Please
continue to send membership dues and changes of address to Yours
Truly.
COLLECTING MAPS - (1) The MISSOURI OUTDOORS ATLAS contains county
maps in two editions (north and south) and shows all roads,
public lands, water accesses; and townships, ranges, and sections
(handy when species localities are available). Unfortunately the
scale is so small that on a recent collecting trip, Jay Hatch
(Mpls., MN) had to invert his binoculars to read the fine print.
The atlases list for $19.95 for both editions or $12.95 for one
plus $3 postage and handling. The south edition covers the
Ozarks. Address: Box 962, Warsaw, MO 65355. Phone: (816) 438-
2741. Editor's Note: I lucked out and found the two volume set
in a Missouri convenience store for $6. (2) The Ozark Interpre
tive Association carries very detailed and easy to read atlases
for Arkansas ($12.95), New Mexico ($12.95) , and Texas ($14.95)
plus postage and handling. Request a catalog from P.O. Box 1279,
Mountain View, AR 72560.
CRAZY ABOUT CRAYFISH - Thanks to Jay DeLong, Elmer Guerri, and
Garold Sneegas for responding to my request for information on
crayfish. I'm still no expert on the subject, but here are a few
sources to check out: (1) The April 1996 Fisheries (Vol. 21, No.
4) had an article on the Conservation Status of Crayfish of the
United and Canada which reported on biology, rationale and
threats, methods and definitions, and a list of taxa which in
cluded status and states/provinces where species are found.
Publications on crayfish from individual states and regions were
also listed. (2) Garold has observed crayfish in the aquarium
and in the wild. He has seen them posture defensively backing
away from largemouth bass and drive smaller fish away from food.
He suggests collecting crayfish at night and advises using a
tight cover to prevent escape. His dog taught him this lesson
awaking him late one night to find the little Houdini detained in
the living room. Finally, he highly recommends Henry Huxley's
The Crayfish; An Introduction to the Study of Zoology (1880)
which was reprinted in 1974 by D. Appleton and Co. in their
International Scientific Series (Volume XXVIII). (3) The March-
April 1997 Audubon reported the rusty crayfish (Oronectes rusti
cus) is one nasty native which has rapidly spread via bait pail
releases from it historic range in the Ohio River basin and part
of the Great Lakes region. The species has an unusually high
metabolic rate, insatiable taste for greens which results in
clear cuts of aquatic vegetation beds, and also superior to its
kin in preying on mayfly larvae and snails. Biologists fear this
master race of spreading decapods will eventually encoun ter, out
compete, and eliminate other crayfish with limited ranges. (4)
Finally, The Crayfishes of Missouri by NANFA member, William
Pflieger, was published last year. I have only had the
opportunity to briefly skim this very classy, informative publi
cation, but believe it would be an asset to anyone's aquatic
reference collection. The booklet costs $7 plus $2 shipping.
Mail orders to: Department of Conservation, Attn: Fiscal Services
Division, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102.
DIVINE REVELATION - Nanfa from Nigeria (Western Africa) visited
NANFA's home page on the Internet. He left a message saying how
interesting it was to have his name all over the web and added
Nanfa stands for God's Image.
ALTERNATIVE HUSBANDRY - There aren't a great deal of references
out there on keeping natives, but many aspects apply to tropical
fish which has a book on almost any topic. One source worth
checking is: You and Your Aquarium: A Complete Guide to collect
ing and keeping aquarium fishes by Dick Mills (ISBN 0-394-72985-
4). Contents include: anatomy, species selection, aquariums and
accessories, feeding, health care, breeding, and photography. The
price is $15 U.S./$19 Canada and can be ordered through most book
stores.
MUSSEL MANIA - (1) Illinois Poster showing 32 species in color on
one side and the back contains anatomy, life history, commercial
harvest, conservation, and a glossary. Single copies are free to
teachers when requested on school letterhead to: DNR Educational
Services, 524 S. Second St.-Room 530, Springfield, IL 62701 or $5
from the IL Natural History Survey Distribution Center, 607 E.
Peabody Drive, Champaign, IL 61820. Make checks payable to the
INHS. (2) Robin Engelking (Brooklyn Park, MN) has had terrific
success with keeping the giant floater (Anodonata grandis), fat
mucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea), and pig toe (Fuconaia flava) in
her aquarium for long periods. She believes most species would
do fine in captivity, but does use a powerhead to create an
artificial stream current which carries a plume of uneaten fish
food over the filtering mussels. She also remarked if the mus
sels don't like the location she has selected for them, they will
move uprooting plants and rearranging aquarium decorations. (3)
The 1997 Pearly Mussel Newsline reported 24 fishes were tested as
potential hosts for the western fanshell (Cyprogenia aberti)
which is one of the rarest mussels in Kansas. Only fantail
darters (Etheostoma flabellare) and banded sculpins (Cottus
carolinae) supported larvae to the juvenile stage. The newslet
ter also mentioned findings of NANFA member, Mark Hove (Falcon
Hts, MN) who reported the yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) was
a suitable host for the pistolgrip mussel (Tritogonia verrucosa).
Another investigator achieved the same results with the flathead
catfish (Pylodictis olivaris). (4) Aquatic macroinvertebrate
biologists (bug pickers) conducting a survey in the Sunrise River
(Chisago County, MN) stumbled on to something unusual in 1996.
An incredible abundance of empty mussel shells were providing the
preferred substrates for many benthic (bottom loving) bugs. They
relayed the discovery to the mussel specialist who returned and
found several state threatened and special concern species alive,
but only the empty shells of the threatened purple pimpleback
(Cyclonaias tuberculata). (5) The November-December 1996 Endan
gered Species Bulletin reported that it is not glochidia (larval
mussels) that determine which fishes are suitable host species,
but the fish's own immune system. Non-host fishes quickly detect
and reject the perceived alien invaders while host species pro
duce only a low level response and encapsulate glochidia into
tissue. The same issue confirmed earlier suspicions that the
freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) was a suitable host for
the endangered fat pocketbook pearly mussel (Potamilus capax).
Culturing methods are now being studied to rear the species for
reintroduction. Finally, the endangered dwarf wedge mussel
(Alasmidonta heterodon) was found last year at two new locations
in the upper Connecticut River near Dalton and Lancaster, NH.
EXOTIC EPIDEMIC - The November-December 1996 Endangered Species
Bulletin reported in October 14,000 birds, which included more
than 1000 endangered brown pelicans, died in California's Salton
Sea from an outbreak of avian botulism. The suspected source is
a massive fish kill of introduced Tilapia.
FRESHWATER FAUNA POSTERS are 24" x 36", in full color, and avail
able for nongame fishes, mussels, and crayfish. The price is $5
plus $2.50 per poster and available from the Extension Distribu
tion Center, 112 Landsdowne St., Blacksburg, VA 24061. Make
checks payable to the Virginia Tech Treasurer. All proceeds are
used to reprint and distribute free posters to secondary schools
across the US.
MAILBAG - Doug Anderson (Plymouth, MN) is a certifiably insane
scooping nut who doesn't hang up his nets like most in the winter
and boasts the coldest conditions he has (so far) survived is a
windchill of minus 53 F. In March, spring fever got the best of
him (again) and he couldn't resist some night time dipping for
rainbow darters (Etheostoma caeruleum) in the St. Croix River. He
stepped into a hole which baptized him with ice water. Doug
wisely called it a night opting to live and collect another day,
but he took a short cut home to shave a little time off his 40
minute drive. Six hours later he finally arrived. I asked if he
had any idea where he was and the reply was more a question than
an answer - IOWA? Jay DeLong (Olympia, WA) announced on April
22, 1997 the 1000th visitor of NANFA's web page was B.G. Granier
(Baker, LA) and the prize is the winner buys everyone lunch and
Jay suggested a central location like Nebraska for the next day.
B.G. also submitted a trivia question with a cajun slant: What
native fish is locally called choupique which is pronounced shoe-
pick - the bowfin (Amia calva). George Becker (Eureka Springs,
AR) took notice of the Green Eggs and Ham piece in the last
Darter and would like to settle the toxicity question sur rounding
gar eggs once and for all. He has offered to help fund either
laboratory rat trials or a chemistry analysis of the eggs. Do we
have any interested researchers out there? Jan Hoover
(Vicksburg, MS) forwarded a paper on experiments involving mice
fed a homogenate of longnose and shortnose gar eggs. All 8 mice
exhibited signs of toxicity, but only one died from shortnose
eggs. She also included an account from a professor who would
tell his classes of an individual that became gravely ill after
dining on gar caviar, but admitted he has never been able to
verify it. Jay Hatch (University of Minnesota) is still develop
ing his website of Minnesota fishes and now has about 30 color
photographs of nongame fishes. Several more should be added in
the near future. Address: http://www.gen.umn.edu/faculty_staff/
hatch/fishes Jay also found a web page put out by Purdue on the
ruffe showing all the known locations in the Great Lakes. One
problem - the cities, states, and provinces don't match the dots
on the maps. Jay's advice: DONUT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU FIND ON
THE INTERNET. Robert Rice (Navarre, FL) had a surprise visit
from the county sheriff in uniform one evening. He asked, Are
you Robert Rice? Trying to think what transgressions from his
nefarious past had come back to haunt him, he responded with a
lump in his throat, Yes Sir. The sheriff then informed him he
just got his issue of Freshwater and Marine Aquarium in the mail
with one of Robert's articles and just wanted to stop and chat
about native fishes. Funny guy, but NANFA also gained a new
member. Garold Sneegas (Lawrence, KS) reported the National
Forest Service has granted clear cutting permits for chip wood
production on tributaries to the Buffalo National Wild and Scenic
River. The Forest Service feels there is no impact since canoers
will not see the clear cuts from the River. Garold also for
warded an article from the December 26, 1996 Lawrence Journal
which reported a researcher from Kansas University surveyed 40
reservoirs for an exotic water flea (Daphnia lumholtzi) and found
it in 5. This clever crustacean comes armed with two spikes which
makes it unpalatable to small fishes whose diets comprise up to
90% water fleas. Finally, Garold will be hosting the Kansas
chapter's annual meeting June 7, 1997. Contact him for details:
(913) 842-1407. Laurie Sovell (Mpls., MN) organized a field trip
for the annual Take your Daughter to Work Day which was sponsored
through the University of Minnesota's student chapter of Women
in Natural Resources. No fish were collected in a nearby pond,
but the kids were not disappointed with a myriad of aquatic bugs
to study.
GOOD NEWS FOR OUR UK MEMBERS - A Midwest fish farmer who raises
natives for the pet trade is cutting through the red tape to
satisfy England's stringent fish importation restrictions. He
hopes to make the first shipment of southern redbelly dace
(Phoxinus erythrogaster) in May and other species may follow
depending on the demand.
BOARD BUSINESS - (1) It appears the revised NANFA constitution is
destined for passage. The running tally was 51 for and 4 against
(only 10 percent of the membership is required to cast votes).
However, Gerald Binczik expressed some major concerns and the
BOD suggested he chair a committee to review these issues and
make recommendations within one year. Anyone interested in join
ing the committee, please contact Gerald at P.O. Box 2426, Haw
thorne, FL 32640. (2) Phil Farrell has resigned from the BOD and
Chris Scharpf (Baltimore, MD) was voted in to fill Phil's seat
for the remainder of the term.
TOPEKA SHINER UPDATE - (1) In March, the Twin Cities Field
Office of US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a draft proposal
was under review to list the species endangered. Additional
information and a briefing statement about the species in Minne
sota, can be requested from Chuck Kjos, Endangered Species Biolo
gist, USFWS, 4101 E. 80th St., Bloomington, MN 55425. Phone:
(612) 725-3548. (2) Garold Sneegas (Lawrence, KS) forwarded a
video from a Topeka PBS station series, Sunflower Journeys, which
aired in February. The segment highlighted cooperative and
successful efforts between a watershed district which was pro
posing several flood control dams and the Department of Wildlife
and Parks which wanted to prevent any further loss of the Topeka
shiner's range in Kansas. Garold provided incredibly colorful
underwater photographs of spawning males with scarlet red fins.
The Darter Editor was also amazed at the crystal clear streams
remaining in the Flint Hills region of the state. (3) Harold
Kerns (Department of Conservation) chairs Missouri's Topeka
Shiner Working Group which hopes to culture the species in a
hatchery. He would welcome any information from members who have
spawned and reared Topekas or have conducted life histories on
the species. Address: MDC, 701 NE College Dr., St. Joseph, MO
64507. Phone: (816) 271-3100. (4) The Minnesota DNR is planning
to conduct a study of habitat and minimum flow requirements for
the Topeka shiner in the Rock River near Luverne. Biologists are
concerned the species may be at risk in the near future if an
increased demand of groundwater occurs.
TEAMING WITH WILDLIFE - For half a century, anglers and hunters
have paid a federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and
fishing tackle which today annually provides $400 million dollars
to states for projects benefiting game species. Unfortunately,
nongame species generally are funded through Chickadee Checkoff
donations on state income tax forms which only generate about
$100,000 a year per state. New legislation referred to as
Teaming with Wildlife is slowly winding through Congress. It is
expected to raise $350 million dollars annually for nongame
wildlife (and fish), outdoor related recreation, and education
projects through a fee on outdoor equipment. Individually this
will cost each consumer only $6-10 dollars per year. Unfortu
nately, a number of large outdoor recreation companies and con
gressmen are opposed charging this is just another tax. The
bill currently does not have numbers in either house, however,
NANFA members who have a concern for nongame species and under
stand the need for an adequate, long term, and stable funding
source should call, write, or email their senators and represen
tatives voicing support for this pending legislation ASAP.
CHECKLIST OF KANSAS DRAGONFLIES We are often negligent in not
covering other aquatic denizens of the deep even if they are not
permanent residents and may also occasionally dine on our finny
friends. The Kansas School Naturalist (KSN) reports on a wide
variety of natural science and history topics and the February
1997 issue was devoted entirely to the state's 80 dragonfly
species. Sections included a key, checklist with preferred
habitats, abundance, distribution, and probable flight dates; and
excellent color photographs of every species. Issues are free
while supplies last and available from: KSN, Box 4050, Emporia,
KS 66801.
PISCES PRODUCTS AND PURPOSES - The January-February 1996 River
Crossings reported: (1) Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) are now
being used as a new source of leather. A Montana leather company
is turning skins into wallets, checkbook covers, and boots. The
eggs are also being processed for caviar and a 4 oz. jar sells
for $89.95. (2) Fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) are being
used to monitor storm drainage outfalls which is comparable to
the former practice of caged canaries in the coal mines to detect
toxic gases. A free video and manual explains how to install a 2
liter soda bottle of 6 gilled guinea pigs. Contact: Charles
Howell, EPA Region 6 at (214) 665-8354.
GET SOME CLOUT OVER FUNGUS AND PARASITES. A local fish farmer
has been very impressed with the results after using clout on
advanced stages of fungal infections and heavy infestations of
fish lice. The medication is produced by Aquarium Products in
Glen Burne, MD 21061.
NANFA MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY - A current hardcopy but bare bones
directory will be available after June 1, 1997 which should still
be in time for most of the collecting season. Sections will
include the main directory of snail and email addresses, phone
and fax numbers, and a cross reference of members by state and
countries. Unfortunately, the funds could not be found to pro
vide free copies to the entire membership, but can be ordered
from the NANFA Library for $3.50 to cover photocopying and post
age. Please send requests and make checks payable to: Marcie
Ceryes, 8681 Pequayan Lake Rd., Duluth, MN 55803. Free email
text versions will continue to be updated quarterly and available
from Robert Rice: robertrice at juno_com
HIGH TECH PASSAGEWAYS on two Susquehanna River dams now permit
the American shad (Alosa sapidissima) and other migratory fishes
to return to historic spawning waters after almost a century long
absence. The entire history of this success story is reported in
Fish Restoration and Passage on the Susquehanna River which is
available through the Publications Section, Fish and Boat Commis
sion, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106. Darter Editors Note:
Perhaps this technology would also benefit the skipjack herring
(Alosa chrysochloris) which was also abundant in the upper Mis
sissippi River prior to the lock&dam era.
DARTER FEST 1997 was organized by NANFA members Bill Voiers and
Larry Page and held on March 21-23 at the Ozark Natural Science
Center south of Eureka Springs, AR. Friday's scheduled events
included Informal Gossip and Drinking which was followed by
Formal Gossip and Drinking. The nitty gritty stuff began on
Saturday morning with Larry Page presenting a history of darter
classification followed by a Beer and Bladder Break. The after
noon session focused on ecology and behavior with Bill Voiers
ending the presentations on the socioreproductive behavior of the
spotted darter (Etheostoma maculatum). A Margarita Drinking
Contest followed, but no one recalled who won. The highlight of
the festivities was a banquet honoring NANFA member, George
Becker, for his distinguished contributions in information about
natives fishes and his Fishes of Wisconsin which Larry Page
eloquently stated, is regarded as the classic of its genre and
has served as the model for all subsequent state fish books. On
Sunday morning, the participants split up to pursue their own
ambitious, and for some, wishful collecting plans before heading
home. Darter Fest 1998 is tentatively planned for Mississippi
and NANFA will attempt to provide an early rather than belated
announcement.
RAFFLE TICKETS - There's still time to try your luck for some
really exquisite fish art and also help fund the NANFA annual
convention in Portland, OR. How about a book or two of five?
The tickets sell for just a buck each. Contact: Jay DeLong, 315
Puget St. NE 4 #7, Olympia, WA 98506.
SETTING UP A NATIVE FISH AQUARIUM WORD FIND CHECKLIST - Find 28
ideas and suggestions. ANSWERS - aerator (air pump), airline,
algae pad (3M), aquarium, crayfish (small), darters (bottom
dwellers), fiddler crab (scavenger), filter (undergravel), food,
gamefish, ghost shrimp (scavenger), gravel, hood, killifish
(surface swimmers), light (bulb), madtoms (bottom hiders), min
nows (midwater schoolers), neutralizer (chlorine - chloramine),
newt, plants, powerhead (water pump), rocks (landscape), salt
(non-iodized: disease preventive), snails (mystery), stand
(aquarium), tadpole, timer (lights), and water.
TRADING POST
Dr. Clarence Waldron, 75 Joliette Dr., Napoleon, OH 43545, (419)
599-3510. Have: Livebearer magazine vols. 51-100, 129, and 131-
145 plus index to vols. 1-78. $50 plus postage.