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Fish
The most common fish in the Metro Parks:
1. Common carp
2. Creek chub
3. Bluegill
4. Largemouth bass
5. Rainbow darter
6. Stone roller
Common carp
Carp are the largest members of the minnow family to inhabit the waters of the park district. Weighing in at as much as 25 pounds, common carp are uninvited guests in our rivers, lakes and ponds. Native to Asia, the common carp was introduced to the United States more than 100 years ago as a game fish. It never caught on with anglers, but the species thrived in our waters. Today, this fish is really considered an invasive species, as it competes with our native fish and causes destruction to aquatic environments.
Creek chub
This species is a small member of the minnow family that can be found in almost each of our parks and natural areas, inhabiting almost every small and medium sized stream in the park district. The extremely hardy creek chub prefers waters with bottoms of sand, gravel and bedrock. It moves into smaller springs and streams to spawn.
Bluegill
Bluegill, a member of the pan fish family, is the most widely recognized fish – and the most frequently caught – in the park district. The species is adapted to slow moving streams, rivers and ponds. Bluegill often have a black dot near their soft dorsal fin.
Largemouth bass
Our most common “trophy species,” the largemouth bass, can be found in every county in Ohio. Here in the Metro Parks, it inhabits our larger rivers, lakes and streams. A lucky angler might land a largemouth bass weighing five to 10 pounds, although many weigh three pounds or less. The species is a predator to other fish and invertebrates.
Rainbow darter
As the name implies, rainbow darters sport every color of the rainbow. The colors of this stream species are arranged so that predators from above – herons, kingfishers, and people – cannot easily see them. The males selectively flash brilliant colors to females just inches below the surface of the water.
Stone roller
Stone rollers are an unusual species that inhabit our smaller streams and rivers. They feed on algae, which they roll into balls with their mouths. Their fat abdomens hold large intestines, a requirement of eating such tough plant material.
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