threadfin shad - Dorosoma petenense

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 2-8"

body shape - oblong vertically flattened

mouth shape - Oblique with upper jaw longer than the lower

color - Usually silver in color often with a blue or black hue at the rear

markings - black spot behind the operculum. Long, thread like ray at the end of the dorsal fin creating a sickle shape

dorsal fins - 11-17 rays

anal fins - 17-27 rays

tail - yellowish - deeply forked

lateral line - 40-48 scales

reproduction - egg laying

lifespan - up to 2 years

habitat- sluggish backwaters, large ponds, and reservoirs  close to surface

diet - filter  zooplankton, phytoplankton, and detritus. eat copepods

temperature - prefer between 72°F and 75°F death occurs below 43°F.

common carp - Cyprinus carpio

INTRODUCED - Abundant

length - avg 15-20" largest 32"

weight - avg 9.9 lbs. biggest recorded 83 lbs

body shape - heavy bodied ellipse -

scale size - very large

mouth shape - horizontal jaw - two pairs of barbels on the upper lip rear longer than front pair

color - gold-green to bronze - pectoral, pelvic, and anal fins tinged in red - juveniles  brown to grey

markings - heavy scale demarcation on top less toward belly

dorsal fins - 1 large and 2 smaller serrated spines - 17-21 rays

pelvic fins - 5-7 rays

anal fins - 1 large and 2 smaller serrated spines - 5-6 rays

tail - 19 rays

lateral line - 32-38 scales

reproduction - egg laying

lifespan - avg 12-15 years, longest 47 years

habitat - warm, turbid waters of eutrophic lakes, reservoirs, and sloughs with silty bottoms and high vegetation growth

diet - aquatic insect larvae, small mollusks, crustaceans, and annelid worms, plants and algae

temperature - cold as 39°F and as warm as 87-97°F, salinities up to 16 ppt, and dramatically low levels of dissolved oxygen (between 0.5 and 3.0 ppm).

similar species - goldfish

hitch - Lavinia exilicauda

NATIVE - rare

length - 14"

body shape - elongate, laterally compressed

scale size - large

mouth shape - small, upturned

color - Brownish yellow back, progressively darker with age, juveniles: silvery

markings - spot in juveniles

dorsal fins - 10-13 rays

anal fins - 11-14 rays large

tail - large forked

lateral line - 54-62 decurved scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - 4-6 years

habitat - slow warm water, including lakes and quiet rivers

diet - zooplankton, crustaceans, or various forms of insects

temperature - heat tolerant of the native Central Valley fishes and can withstand water temperatures greater than 86°F

hardhead - Mylopharodon conocephalus

NATIVE - Uncommon

length - 13"-23.5"

body shape - thick elongate

scale size - small

mouth shape - slightly upturned

color - brown or dusky bronze back, silvery

markings - darker lateral line behind dorsal fin

dorsal fins - 8 rays

anal fins - 8-9 rays

tail - large forked

lateral line - 69-81 scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - 9-10 years

habitat - small to large streams

diet - invertebrates, aquatic plants and algae, or insects

temperature - prefer above 68ºF

golden shiner - Notemigonus crysoleucas

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 4-10"

body shape - streamlined

scale size - large

mouth shape - upward pointing

color - golden to silvery

markings - sharp naked keel

dorsal fins - 7-9 rays

pectoral fins - 15 rays

pelvic fins - 9 rays

anal fins - 11-15 rays

lateral line - 44-54 scales curves downward

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 9 years

habitat - vegetated lakes, ponds, swamps, backwaters and pools of creeks and small to medium rivers

diet - aquatic vegetation, zooplankton,  algae, crustaceans, small fish, mollusks, and aquatic insect larvae

temperature - up to 97°F

Sacramento pike minnow (squawfish) - Ptychocheilus grandis

NATIVE - Common

length - 16"- 47"

weight - max 6.9 lbs

body shape - thick elongate

scale size - small

mouth shape - large horizontal to slightly upturned

color - olive-brown blackish - breeding fins orange

markings - dark spot at base of tail

dorsal fins - 8 rays

pectoral fins - 15-18 rays

pelvic fins - 9 rays

anal fins - 8 rays

tail - deeply forked

lateral line -  65-78 scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 16 years

habitat - rocky and sandy pools, small to large rivers, clear, warm streams

diet - aquatic insects, crustaceans, fish,  frogs, large stoneflies, small rodents

temperature - 64-82°F,  extremes up to 100°F and salinities as high as 8 ppt

Sacramento sucker - Catostomus occidentalis

NATIVE - Uncommon

length - 14" - 20"

body shape - heavy elongate

scale size - moderately large

mouth shape - bottom opening, fleshy lips. 5-6 rows of papillae on upper lip, bottom lip has a single row of papillae

color - Green to brown back, yellow-gold to white underside. Faint red stripe along sides, brighter in breeding males.

markings - Juveniles have 3-4 dark splotches on body

dorsal fins - 11-15 rays

anal fins - 6-8 rays

tail - moderately forked

lateral line - 57-75 scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 10 years

habitat - diverse habitats: streams, lakes, mild estuaries. Prefer clear cool streams and lakes

diet - detritus, insect larvae, algae, invertebrates

temperature -

black bullhead - Ameiurus melas

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 10.5" - 26"

weight - 2 lbs up to 8 lbs

body shape - cylindrical and heavy bodied

mouth shape - large horizontal opening - upper and lower barbels dark brown to black, barbels at corners of mouth about twice as long as those near nostrils

color - black to yellowish-brown, whitish belly

gill rakers - 15-21 on first arch

dorsal fins - interray webs dark

adipose fin - short, fleshy, free at posterior end

pectoral fins - 1 spine - slightly rough

anal fins - Short, round with dark membranes, 19-23 light rays

tail - square with slight notch

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 10 years

habitat - sluggish current pools, backwaters, muddy creeks, small to large turbid rivers; impoundments, oxbows, reservoirs, and ponds

diet - omnivorous: aquatic insects, earthworms, terrestrial insects, clams, snails, plant material, dead fish and occasional slow moving live fish

temperature - 46ºF - 86ºF

brown bullhead - Ameiurus nebulosus

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 12" - 21"

weight - 2 lbs - 6 lbs

body shape - cylindrical and heavy bodied

mouth shape - blunt horizontal opening - upper and 6 chin barbels dark brown to black, matching barbels at corners of mouth about twice as long as those near nostrils

color - yellow-brown with dark mottling on the side and white to yellow on the belly

markings - mottling

gill rakers - 11-15 on first arch

dorsal fins - 6-7 rays, 1 spine with 5-9 teeth on rear edge

adipose fin - short, fleshy, free at posterior end

pectoral fins - 1 spine - toothed on rear edge

anal fins - 21-24 rays; anal fin does not reach anterior rays of caudal fin. fin same color on both membranes

tail - square

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 9 years

habitat - larger reservoirs, found deep near aquatic plants and muddy bottoms, slow moving, low gradient, muddy streams and rivers with deep pools, aquatic plant beds, and soft bottoms

diet - mollusks, insects, leeches, crayfish, plankton, worms, algae, plant material, fish and fish eggs

temperature - 39°F to 99°F, salinities as high as 13 ppt, and alkalinity levels up to a pH of 9

channel catfish - Ictalurus punctatus

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 22" - 52"

weight - up to 58 lbs

body shape - cylindrical and heavy bodied - bony ridge between skull and dorsal fin

mouth shape - large horizontal opening - barbels at corners of mouth more than 3 times as long as those near nostrils - head appears wide from above

color - upper body bluish olive, gray or black fading to white below

markings - dark spots usually scattered along the sides

dorsal fins - 5-6 soft rays

adipose fin - short, fleshy, free at posterior end

pectoral fins - 4-5 soft rays

anal fins - 24-29 rays

tail - deeply forked

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 24 years

habitat - prefer clean, warm, well oxygenated rivers and streams also in ponds, reservoirs and turbid, muddy bottomed rivers

diet - small fish, crustaceans, clams and snails; aquatic insects and small mammals

temperature - 50ºF - 90ºF

rainbow trout - Oncorhynchus mykiss

INTRODUCED/NATIVE

Uncommon - absent downstream

length - 23" - 47"

weight - up to 56 lbs

body shape - heavy bodied ellipse

scale size - small

mouth shape - large slightly upturned

color - silvery to yellowish above, pale below, red band on side, color varies with habitat, size, and sex

markings - adults heavy black spots, juveniles boldly spotted

dorsal fins - 10-12 rays

adipose fin - spotted

pectoral fins - 11-17 rays

pelvic fins - 9-10 rays

anal fins - 8-12 rays

tail - square - 19 rays

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 11 years

habitat - cold lakes, moderate to fast flowing, well oxygenated streams

diet - aquatic and terrestrial insects, mollusks, crustaceans, fish eggs, and small fish

temperature - 53ºF - 64ºF

similar species - golden trout, Kern River rainbow trout

western mosquitofish - Gambusia affinis

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - males up to 1.6" females up to 2.8"

body shape - ellipse

scale size - large

mouth shape - medium upturned

color - light tan, scales iridescent blue-green to purple, lighter belly

markings - 3-5 lines around eye, cheek 4-6 brown lines

dorsal fins - 7-9 rays

pelvic fins - 5-7 rays

anal fins - 9-10 rays

tail - rounded

lateral line - 38-45 scales

reproduction - live birth

lifespan - up to 3 years

habitat - standing to slow-flowing water; most common in vegetated ponds and lakes, backwaters and quiet pools of streams

diet - zooplankton, small insects and detritus

temperature - 57ºF - 84ºF

green sunfish - Lepomis cyanellus

INTRODUCED - Common

length - 8" - 12"

weight - 2.1 lbs

body shape - stiff oval

mouth shape - medium fleshy lips

color - olive green on back fading on the sides, orange-yellow breast and belly

markings - dark opercular flaps with orange-white edging, iridescent blue-green markings on body and head, dorsal and anal fins have a dark blotch

dorsal fins - 9-10 spines 10-12 rays

pectoral fins - rounded 13-15 rays

pelvic fins - 1 spine 5 rays

anal fins - 3 spines 8-9 rays

tail - round weakly forked

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 10 years

habitat - quiet pools and backwaters of sluggish streams; lakes and ponds

diet - invertebrates and small fish

temperature - 64ºF - 90ºF

similar species - pumpkinseed, bluegill

pumpkinseed - Lepomis gibbosus

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 12" - 16"

weight - up to 1.4 lbs

body shape - stiff oval

mouth shape - small oblique

color - greenish-gray or brownish-green, orange, yellow, blue, and green spots, and 7-10 faint blue green vertical bands, yellow to orange throat and belly, iridescent blue-green markings on cheek

markings - dark, stiff opercular flaps with orange and blue streaks, small spots on dorsal fin

dorsal fins - 10 - 12 spines 10 - 12 rays

pectoral fins - long 12-13 rays

pelvic fins - 1 spine 5 rays

anal fins - 3-4 spines 8 - 11 rays

tail - round weakly forked

lateral line - 36-44 scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 12 years

habitat - quiet vegetated lakes, ponds, and pools in creeks and small rivers

diet - worms, crustaceans and insects, small fish, other vertebrates, fish eggs

temperature - 39ºF - 72ºF

similar species - green sunfish, bluegill

bluegill - Lepomis macrochirus

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 7.5" - 16"

weight - 4.75 lbs

body shape - stiff oval

mouth shape - small oblique

color - blue or purplish iridescence, faint vertical bars, breeding males brighter blue and orange

markings - dark blue or black "ear" on opercular flap, dark blotch at base of dorsal fin

dorsal fins - 10 spines 10-12 rays

pectoral fins - long pointed 13-14 rays

pelvic fins - 5 rays

anal fins - 3 spines 11-12 rays

tail - round moderately forked

lateral line - 38-48 scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 10 years

habitat - lakes, ponds, reservoirs and sluggish streams

diet - snails, small crayfish, insects, worms and small minnows

temperature - 34ºF - 97ºF

similar species - green sunfish, pumpkinseed

largemouth bass - Micropterus salmoides

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 16" - 38"

weight - up to 22 lbs

body shape - stiff ellipse

mouth shape - large

color - Green to olive on back, white to yellow on belly

markings - black band running from the ear flap to the base of the tail fin, brown eyes

dorsal fins - 9 spines 12-13 rays

pectoral fins - 13-17 rays

anal fins - 3 spines 10-12 rays

tail - rounded 17 rays

lateral line - 58-72 scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 23 years

habitat -  clear, vegetated lakes, ponds, swamps, pools of creeks and rivers, likes quiet, clear water and over-grown banks. Adults feed on

diet - fish, crayfish and frogs, insects

temperature - 50ºF - 90ºF

white crappie - Pomoxis annularis

INTRODUCED - Uncommon

length - 8" - 21"

weight - up to 5 lbs

body shape - stiff ellipse

mouth shape - medium oblique

color - silver

markings - vertical bands, large eyes

dorsal fins - 5-6 spines 13-15 rays

pectoral fins - 13-14 rays

pelvic fins - 1 spine 5 rays

anal fins - 6-7 spines 16-18 rays

tail - round weakly forked

lateral line - 34-46 scales contoured round towards dorsal fin

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - up to 10 years

habitat - sand and mud-bottomed pools and backwaters of creeks, rivers, lakes and ponds

diet - fish, small invertebrates

temperature - 50ºF - 88ºF

similar species - black crappie

Crappie were introduced from Illinois. The white crappie has dark green vertical mottling on a yellowish silver body. It has six dorsal spines. They do well in warm water in lakes, sloughs, and reservoirs. Adults eat fish.

black crappie - Pomoxis nigromaculatus

INTRODUCED - Common

length - 8-12"

weight - avg. 2.2 lbs, max 4.9 lbs

body shape - oblong

scale size - medium

mouth shape - oblique lower jaw protrudes slightly

color - Whitish-silvery side, dark back,  white belly

markings -indistinct black mottling

dorsal fins - 7-9 spines, 15-16 rays

pectoral fins - 14-15 rays

pelvic fins - 1 spine, 5-6 rays

anal fins - 6 spines and 16-19 rays

lateral line - 38-44 scales

reproduction - eggs

lifespan - 6 years oldest recorded 13 years

habitat - large, warm water lakes and reservoirs.

diet - young eat zooplankton and small insect larvae - adults ear aquatic insects and other fish

temperature - prefers 81°F to 84°F, active at 43ºF - 45°F will die at around 100°F

similar species - white crappie

The black crappie has  on a silver body. It has a very large eye and seven to eight dorsal spines. It was originally introduced to the San Diego area in California in 1891. This fish needs a good supply of small fish and vegetation. Both crappie will overpopulate slow clear water quickly.

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