The Biota of the Gordon Natural Area - Fish
The ichthyofauna (aka, fish) of the GNA has been the focus of relatively little research. Former WCU professor Win Fairchild published one study that included monitoring of Plum Run during 1997 and 1998. In 2005, Danielle Difederico, who was a graduate student with Dr. Fairchild, collected data for her thesis from four locations in Plum Run within the boundaries of the GNA. More recently, the Stroud Water Research Center (SWRC) has been conducting annual monitoring of water conditions and the biota in Plum Run. The fish data from their 2018 monitoring are included in this data set.
To date, just 14 species of fish, in 13 Genera, 6 Families, and 5 Orders have been recorded for the GNA. The SWRC will likely continue annual monitoring of Plum Run, and their work will continue to amplify the fish species list.
One particularly interesting taxon—a species of African Lungfish that almost certainly represented someone’s released (former) pet—was noted in 2012 by the Gerry Hertel, the GNA Stewardship Manager at the time.
You can explore the fish checklist below, or you can access a pdf copy of the checklist.
Anguilla rostrata (American Eel)
Group: Fish
Family: Anguillidae
Notes
Common Names: American Eel
Years Observed: 1998; 2019
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Also Noted By: Stroud Water Research Center
Catostomus commersonii (White Sucker)
Group: Fish
Family: Catostomidae
Notes
Common Names: White Sucker
Years Observed: 1997; 1998; 2005; 2018; 2019; 2022
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Also Noted By: Danielle DiFederico; Stroud Water Research Center
Comments:
A migratory species that's present in Plum Run during the summer but which "... mostly leave Plum Run in winter." (Cressler 2015, p. 20)
Ambloplites rupestris (Rock Bass)
Group: Fish
Family: Centrarchidae
Notes
Common Names: Rock Bass
Year Observed: 2005
Identified and First Noted By: Danielle DiFederico
Lepomis gibbosus (Pumpkinseed)
Group: Fish
Family: Centrarchidae
Notes
Common Names: Pumpkinseed
Year Observed: 1998
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Micropterus dolomieu (Smallmouth Bass)
Group: Fish
Family: Centrarchidae
Notes
Common Names: Smallmouth Bass
Year Observed: 1997
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass)
Group: Fish
Family: Centrarchidae
Notes
Common Names: Largemouth Bass
Year Observed: 2022
Identified and First Noted By: Stroud Water Research Center
Comments:
To date, a single individual noted (Area G3: Plum Run).
Images
Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass)
Clinostomus funduloides (Rosyside Dace)
Group: Fish
Family: Cyprinidae
Notes
Common Names: Rosyside Dace
Years Observed: 1997; 1998; 2005; 2018; 2019; 2022; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Also Noted By: Danielle DiFederico; Stroud Water Research Center; David Kramer
Comments:
One of the most common fish species in the GNA portion of Plum Run.
iNaturalist Observations:
176022617 (Observed: 7/31/2023)
174704034 (Observed: 6/19/2023)
Images
Clinostomus funduloides (Rosyside Dace)
Clinostomus funduloides (Rosyside Dace)
Cyprinidae Indet. (Minnow)
Group: Fish
Family: Cyprinidae
Notes
Common Names: Minnow
Years Observed: 1997; 1998
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Comments:
Butler & Fairchild (2005) listed the following four species (all in the Family Cyprinidae) as being represented under 'Other Minnow': Notemigonus crysoleucas, Cyprinella analostana, Notropis hudsonius, and Notropis procne.
Exoglossum maxillingua (Cutlips Minnow)
Group: Fish
Family: Cyprinidae
Notes
Common Names: Cutlips Minnow
Years Observed: 1997; 1998; 2005
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Also Noted By: Danielle DiFederico
Luxilus cornutus (Common Shiner)
Group: Fish
Family: Cyprinidae
Notes
Common Names: Common Shiner
Years Observed: 1997; 1998
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Rhinichthys atratulus (Blacknose Dace)
Group: Fish
Family: Cyprinidae
Notes
Common Names: Blacknose Dace
Years Observed: 1997; 1998; 2005; 2018; 2019; 2022; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Also Noted By: Danielle DiFederico; Stroud Water Research Center; Kathryn Krueger; Nur Ritter
Comments:
One of the most common fish species in the GNA portion of Plum Run.
iNaturalist Observations:
96784038 (Observed: 9/29/2021)
115104885 (Observed: 4/28/2022)
Images
Rhinichthys atratulus (Blacknose Dace)
Rhinichthys atratulus (Blacknose Dace)
Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub)
Group: Fish
Family: Cyprinidae
Notes
Common Names: Creek Chub
Years Observed: 1997; 1998; 2005; 2018; 2019; 2022; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Also Noted By: Danielle DiFederico; Stroud Water Research Center; Kathryn Krueger; David Kramer
Comments:
One of the most common fish species in the GNA portion of Plum Run.
iNaturalist Observations:
174699932 (Observed: 6/3/2023)
Images
Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub)
Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub)
Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub)
Semotilus corporalis (Fallfish)
Group: Fish
Family: Cyprinidae
Notes
Common Names: Fallfish
Year Observed: 2005
Identified and First Noted By: Danielle DiFederico
Etheostoma olmstedi (Tesselated Darter)
Group: Fish
Family: Percidae
Notes
Common Names: Tesselated Darter
Years Observed: 1998; 2018; 2019; 2023
Identified and First Noted By: Winn Fairchild
Also Noted By: Stroud Water Research Center; David Kramer
Images
Etheostoma olmstedi (Tesselated Darter)
Etheostoma olmstedi (Tesselated Darter)
Etheostoma olmstedi (Tesselated Darter)
Protopterus (African Lungfish)
Group: Fish
Family: Protopteridae
Notes
Common Names: African Lungfish
Year Observed: 2012
Identified By: Nur Ritter
First Noted By: Gerry Hertel & Kendra McMillin
Comments:
A single individual noted in 2012. This find in all likelihood represents someone's former pet that was released in Plum Run.
iNaturalist Observations:
39221224 (Observed: 7/7/2012)
Images
Protopterus (African Lungfish)
Protopterus (African Lungfish)