The Fish of Jug Bay

Patuxent River, Maryland A Pictorial Key

Written by Doris Peters and Shannon Smithberger (December 1994) Revised by Karyn Molines and Jeffrey Campbell (September 2007)

Acknowledgements Over 100 people have devoted many hours in the field netting and identifying fish during the Jug Bay fish survey. Although too many to list in this guide, the following contributed substantially to our knowledge of fish species of Jug Bay:

Marty Barron Peter Bergstrom Jonathan Burns Jeffrey Campbell Eric Duce Kyle Maduro Woody Martin Doris Peters Bill Rodney Taj Rollins Tim Rule and Maryland Institute College of Art Vinnie Salamone Diana Smith Kathy Szlavacz, Dave Curson, and Johns Hopkins University Teon Wells Susan Wheatley

Unless otherwise noted, fish illustrations are reproduced from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. (http://fish.dnr.cornell.edu/nyfish/fish.html) for educational purposes only. White perch, inland silverside and Appendix A photographs by Jeffrey D. Campbell.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 3

How to Use This Key This guide was designed to make it easy for those with little experience to identify most of the fish known to occur at the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary on the tidal Patuxent River. This key is easier to use than others since it avoids details such as the number of fins and the number of rays and spines found in most guides.

Another advantage is that we have included only those species we have found during surveys or are likely to occur in Jug Bay. The key has descriptions and characteristics of these species. This identification key is based on more than 8500 fish captured during surveys conducted between 1987 and 2005. This key separates fish species by (1) the number of dorsal fins, (2) the shape of the tail fin, (3) other characteristics including body color and mouth shape. Generally, the most frequently encountered fish are listed first. Start by examining the dorsal fin and tail to follow the key to the right section. Then use the pictorial keys and read the descriptions. Because we seine in shallow water, many of our fish are juvenile which lack adult characteristics and can be especially difficult to identify. Inspect dorsal fins carefully. Many species, for example the largemouth bass, are able to depress one dorsal fin making it appear as if they only have one rather than two dorsal fins. The average body lengths from our surveys are included along with graphs summarizing frequency of capture at each of the sampling locations. Maximum lengths are also provided for several species, based on information in Peterson's A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, 1991. Example Symbol One dorsal fin, Round or broom-shaped tail

Page 7

One dorsal fin Forked tail

Pages 8 to 12

Two dorsal fins – separate Round or broom-shaped tail

Page 13

Two dorsal fins – separate Forked tail

Pages13 to 14

Two dorsal fins – joined Round or broom-shaped tail

Page 15

Two dorsal fins – joined Forked tail

Page 15

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 4

Capture Frequency Graphs The graphs show how frequently each species was caught at each location. The scale shows what percentage of all fish caught at the location was this species. The background color of the graph provides a clue as to how common they are captured during the study, the darker the color, the more often we capture the species. The horizontal axis represents the five different sites we monitor. These are coded with “warm” colors for tidal locations and “cool” colors for non-tidal. The vertical axis represents the percent abundance of this species compared to all the fish caught at the site.

Background (frequency range)

Location Example

< 1 %

< 1%5%10%20%50%100%

0

5

10

Patuxent River (Pax)

Otter Point (OP)

Beaver Pond (BP)

Two Run Creek (2R)

Pindell Creek (Pd)

Eastern Mudminnow

0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

5% range, so not very common anywhere. This fish is not found in the river. It is 1.3% of the fish caught at Otter Point, 0.7% of the Beaver Pond, 3.9 % at Two Run and 2.5% of the fish caught at Pindell Creek.

References

The following books were useful in preparing this key: Chesapeake Bay - A Field Guide, Christopher P. White, Tidewater Press, 1989. Delaware’s Freshwater and Brackish Water Fishes, Maynard S. Raasch and Vaughn L. Altemus, Sr. Delaware

State College, 1991. Life in the Chesapeake Bay, Alice Jane Lippson, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1984. Peterson's A Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Lawrence M. Page and Brooks M. Burr, Houghton Mifflin

Company, 1991. Fishes of the Chesapeake Bay, Edward O Murdy, Ray S. Birdsong and John A. Musick, Smithsonian Institution

Press, 1997. Guide to Freshwater Fishes of New York, Daniel Decker, Ronald Howard Jr, W. Harry Everhart, and John

Kelly, Cornell Cooperative Extension Miscellaneous Bulletin 108, 1985, reprinted 1996. Freshwater Fish of the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, Fred C Rohde et al., The University of

North Carolina, 1994. The following web sites contain information about many of the fish found at Jug Bay: Inland Fishes of New York (Online) Version 4.0, C.E. Kraft, D.M. Carlson, and M. Carlson, 2006, Department

of Natural Resources, Cornell University and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. http://fish.dnr.cornell.edu/nyfish/fish.html

Maryland Biological Stream Survey Fish Distributions, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, http://mddnr.chesapeakebay.net/mbss/fishes.cfm

Pennsylvania Fishes, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/pafish/fishhtms/chapindx.htm

Freshwater Fishes of New York, New York State Department of Environmental Conservations. http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/fish/fishspecs/index.html

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 5

General Parts of the Fish

Explanation of Terms Used in Key Adipose fin –A soft fleshy fin found behind the dorsal fin and in front of the tail. Found on catfish.

Anterior – The mouth end (front) of the fish.

Barbel – Whisker-like organ near the mouth.

Dorsal – Relating to the top (back) of the fish.

Lateral Band – A band of color present on the side of a fish.

Lateral Line – A row or line of sensory organs along each side of a fish, from head to tail, used for detecting vibrations, currents, and pressure.

Posterior – The tail end of the fish.

Punctate – Having tiny spots or points.

Ventral – Relating to the bottom (belly) of the fish.

Mouth Types

a. Terminal Mouth – A mouth located at the anterior-most portion of the head.

b. Upturned Mouth – A mouth located above the anterior-most portion of the head

c. Subterminal Mouth – A mouth located below the anterior-most portion of the head.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 6

Dichotomous Key to the Fish at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary A1. Has a “normal” fish shape go to B A2. Has an “unusual” fish shape, see page 16 including catfish American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)................................ 16 Least Brook Lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera).............. 16 Hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus) ............................... 16 Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) ........................ 16 Brown Bullhead Catfish (Ameiurus nebulosus) .......... 16 B1. Has one dorsal fin go to C B2. Has two dorsal fins got to F C1. Has a forked tail go to D C2. Has a broom or round tail see page 7 Banded Killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) .................. 7, 17 Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus)...................... 7, 17 Mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) ............................. 7 Eastern Mudminnow (Umbra pygmaea)....................... 7 D1. Has a normal mouth go to E D2. Has a specialized moth see page 12 Creek Chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus)..................... 12 Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchillia)............................... 12 White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) .................... 12 Redfin Pickerel (Esox americanus) ............................. 12 Chain Pickerel (Esox niger)......................................... 12 E1. Has smooth belly scales see pages 8 - 10

Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) ....................... 8 Rosyside Dace (Clinostomus funduloides).................... 8 Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) ........................ 8 Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) ................... 8 Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius) ............................ 9 Satinfin Shiner (Cyprinella analostana) ....................... 9 Eastern Silvery Minnow (Hybognathus regius)............ 9 Swallowtail Shiner (Notropis procne)........................... 9 Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)................................ 10 Goldfish (Carassius auratus) ...................................... 10 Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas).................... 10 Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) .................................... 10

E2. Has “saw-tooth” belly scales see page 11 Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) ...................... 11 Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) ................................ 11 Hickory Shad (Alosa mediocris) ................................. 11 American Shad (Alosa sapidissima)............................ 11 Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis)............................ 11 F1. Dorsal fins appear separate go to G F2. Dorsal fins are joined go to H G1. Broom or round tail see page 13 Tessellated Darter (Etheostama olmstedi)................... 13 G2. Forked tail see pages 13 - 14

White Perch (Morone americana)............................... 13 Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) .................................. 13 Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)................................. 14 Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina) ......................... 14 Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) ................ 14 Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) ................. 14 Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) ....................................... 14

H1. Broom or round tail see page 15 Bluespotted Sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus) .......... 15 H2. Forked Tail see page 15 Pumpkinseed Sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus).................. 15 Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) .................... 15 Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) .................. 15 White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis)............................ 15

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 7

One Dorsal Fin Round or Broom-shaped Tail

Eastern Mudminnow 10-14 dark brown horizontal stripes Dark crescent at tail All fins rounded Terminal mouth Jug Bay average 5.7 cm

0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax

OP

BP

2R Pd Mosquitofish Rows of dots on tail “Teardrop” seen on older specimens Mouth upturned Dorsal fin starts behind anal fin origin Jug Bay average 3.2 cm

0

10

20

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Mummichogs and banded killifish are some of the most abundant small schooling fish in tidal wetlands. It is difficult to tell the females and young of both species apart. Female killifish have longer snouts relative to head size than mummichogs. Killifish, when viewed from above, are more streamlined. See Appendix A, page , 17 for distinguishing details

Mummichog Chunky body, round tail Short snout, upturned mouth Male: Many silvery blue spots Female: Plain or with faint bars Young: Anal fin starts under dorsal fin Jug Bay average 6.1 cm

maximum 12.5 cm 0

10

20

30

40

50

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Banded Killifish Stream-lined body, broom or fan tail Long snout, upturned mouth Male: Many wide silvery bars, breeding

male has yellow throat and fins Female: Few narrow black bars Jug Bay average 6 cm

maximum 13 cm 0

10

20

30

40

50

Pax

OP

BP

2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 8

One Dorsal Fin Forked Tail Blacknose Dace

Dark lateral band is brown to black, pales with age

Male has brick red sides during breeding season

Brown with small scales and many small speckles

Slightly downturned (subterminal) mouth

Jug Bay average 3.9 cm

0102030405060708090

100

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Rosyside Dace Faint red slash just behind gill

cover Upper side pale to dark with

irregular blotches Lateral band from nose to tail Males have rosy sides during

breeding season Terminal mouth Jug Bay average 5.5 cm

maximum 11 cm

0102030405060708090

100

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Creek Chub Black spot at dorsal fin origin Large terminal mouth Breeding male is pink with orange

fins Immature resemble Blacknose

Dace and Swallowtail Shiner. Look for dorsal fin spot and black band that goes across mouth.

Jug Bay average 6.5 cm maximum 30 cm

0

5

10

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Golden Shiner Silver or golden, lower fins can be

orange or red Lateral line decurved (bends

towards belly) Extremely compressed body No scales on keel Jug Bay average 8.1 cm

maximum 30 cm 0

10

20

30

40

50

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 9

One Dorsal Fin Forked Tail

Spottail Shiner Fairly punctuate lateral line Spot on tail Large eye Silvery scales rub off easily Jug Bay average 6.5 cm

0

10

20

30

40

50

Pax OP BP 2R Pd

Eastern Silvery Minnow Plain silver with nearly straight

lateral line Young have purplish sheen on

sides Large males are yellowish Jug Bay average 7.4 cm 0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Satinfin Shiner Steel blue or gray with

crosshatching Dark spot on rear of dorsal fin Males have white fins Jug Bay average 5.8 cm

0

1

Pax

OP

BP 2R Pd Swallowtail Shiner

Strong punctuate lateral line which overlays black lateral band

Color pale yellow with faint crosshatching above

Black band from nose to tail, discontinuous at tail.

Jug Bay average 5.8 cm 0

1

Pax

OP

BP

2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 10

One Dorsal Fin Forked Tail

Common Carp Golden brown color Large scales Long dorsal fin Short barbel on either side of

mouth Introduced from Asia. Jug Bay average 93 cm

maximum 1 meter

0

1

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Goldfish Gold to olive-green to creamy

white May have black patches Lacks barbels Introduced from Asia

0

1

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Fathead Minnow Thin diagonal lines over dark

lateral band Faint dusky blotch on front of

dorsal fin Breeding male: dark with black

head, 3 rows tubercles on snout, large white/gold blotch behind head and under dorsal

Introduced from central US Jug Bay average 5 cm

0

1

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Fallfish Dark crosshatching on silvery side Thick nose Jug Bay average 4.5 cm

maximum 51 cm

0

1

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 11

One Dorsal Fin Forked Tail These species are laterally compressed, lack lateral lines, and have sharply pointed belly scales which create a “saw tooth’s edge.”

Gizzard Shad Large purple-blue spot near gill

cover in young and small adults Subterminal mouth; downward,

rounded snout Long thread on dorsal fin, deep

body Jug Bay average 7.0 cm

maximum 52 cm

0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Alewife One spot Shallow body Distance between front of eye and

tip of snout is less than eye diameter

Jug Bay average 5.1 cm maximum 38 cm

0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax OP

BP 2R Pd

Hickory Shad Lower jaw extends well beyond

upper jaw Dorsal fin trapezoidal in shape

compared to American Shad

0

1

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

American Shad Horizontal row of spots Deep body Triangular dorsal fin Jug Bay average 9.5 cm

maximum 75 cm 0

1P

ax OP

BP

2R Pd

Blueback Herring Eye usually smaller than alewife Distinguished from Alewife by

internal structures.

0

1

Pax OP BP 2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 12

One Dorsal Fin Forked Tail

Bay Anchovy Long jaw Huge mouth when pulled open Narrow silver stripe Body almost transparent Jug Bay average 4.2 cm

maximum 10 cm 0

10

20

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Creek Chubsucker Large, thick lips Ventral mouth for “vacuuming”

invertebrates from the water. Anal fins attach to body at the

posterior point of attachment of the dorsal fin.

Dark blotches on bronze body Jug Bay average 11.7 cm

maximum 36 cm

0

5

10

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

White Sucker Blunt snout Silvery body Ventral mouth for “vacuuming”

invertebrates from the water. Anal fins attach to body well

posterior of the point of attachment of the dorsal fin.

Jug Bay average 12.7 cm maximum 64 cm

0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax

OP

BP

2R Pd

Duckbill-shaped Mouth with Sharp Teeth

Chain Pickerel Teardrop nearly vertical Chain pattern Single dorsal fin located near the tail Jug Bay average 13.7 cm

maximum 99 cm 0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Redfin Pickerel Slanted teardrop extends below eye Reddish fins Single dorsal fin located near the tail Jug Bay average 17 cm

maximum 38 cm 0

1

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 13

Two Separate Dorsal Fins Round or Broom-Shaped Tail

Tessellated Darter Teardrop below eye X’s and W’s on side Often found resting at the bottom

of streams on its large pectoral fins.

Jug Bay average 5.4 cm 0

5

10

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Two Separate Dorsal Fins Forked Tail

White Perch Dorsal hump Silvery body as in photo Anal fin begins near front of 2nd

dorsal Lateral line arches

up towards shoulder The dorsal fins of the white perch

are actually joined but the deep notch between them gives them the appearance of being separated.

Jug Bay average 9.5 cm maximum 58 cm

0

10

20

30

40

50

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Striped Bass Horizontal stripes in adults Young fish often have both vertical

and horizontal stripes Anal fin begins in middle of 2nd

dorsal Also known as the rockfish Jug Bay average 7.1 cm

maximum 2 meters

0

1

2

3

4

5Pa

x

OP

BP

2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 14

Two Separate Dorsal Fins Forked Tail

Yellow Perch Males have orange fins Wide vertical dark bars on yellow

or orange body Jug Bay average 8.7 cm

maximum 40 cm 0

1

2

3

4

5

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Inland Silverside

Small first dorsal fin Bright silver band Picture shows first dorsal fin

larger than it really is. Jug Bay average 5.8 cm maximum 15 cm

0

10

20

30

40

50

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Largemouth Bass Gray to green color Blotches form lateral band Short 1st dorsal fin, separated Jaw extends beyond back edge of

eye Introduced from other US regions Jug Bay average 14.5 cm

maximum 97 cm

0

1

Pax

OP

BP

2R Pd

Smallmouth Bass Brownish to brown, vertical bars Dorsal fins not completely

separated Upper jaw does not extend beyond

back edge of eye Scales on base of second dorsal

and anal fins

0

1

Pax OP BP 2R Pd

Spot One shoulder spot near gill cover 12-15 diagonal dark lines Long 2nd dorsal fin Jug Bay average 14.5 cm

maximum 36 cm

0

1

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 15

Two Joined Dorsal Fins Round Tail

Bluespotted Sunfish Rows of silvery-blue spots on body

and fins Jug Bay average 5.3 cm This is the only sunfish found in our

area with a round tail.

0

10

20

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Two Joined Dorsal Fins Forked Tail

Pumpkinseed Sunfish Red or orange spot on black gill

flap Wavy blue lines on lower jaw Orange and blue speckles near tail Jug Bay average 7.5 cm

0

5

10

Pax OP BP 2R Pd

Black Crappie Sharp dip over eye Dark body, sometimes black with

many silver spots Fins dark with circular transparent

spots Widely introduced Jug Bay average 9.5 cm

0

1

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

White Crappie Sharp dip over eye Gray or silvery body with faint bars Speckling on body and fins Dorsal fin further back than Black

Crappie Jug Bay average 19.5 cm

maximum 53 cm 0

1P

ax OP BP 2R Pd

Bluegill Sunfish Faint bars Blue cheek Spot or dark blotch on 2nd dorsal fin Widely introduced Jug Bay average 5.3 cm 0

5

10

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 16

Fish with unusual body features American Eel Normal mouth One continuous dorsal and caudal

fin Jug Bay average 15.5

maximum 152 cm 0

1

Pax

OP BP 2R Pd

Least Brook Lamprey Disk-like ventral mouth Notched dorsal fin joined to caudal

fin Mouth parts distinguish from

American Brook Lamprey Jug Bay average10.7 cm

maximum 35 cm

0

1

Pax

OP

BP

2R Pd

Hogchoker Lies flat on left side Appears surrounded by fins Dark on upper side, light on lower

side Both eyes on right side No pectoral fins Jug Bay average 3.8 cm

maximum 20 cm

0

1

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Long Barbels Around Mouth The next two species have long barbels (“whiskers”) around the mouth and an adipose (fleshy fat deposit) fin on the dorsal side near the tail. Scales absent.

Brown Bullhead Catfish

Broom-shaped tail Jug Bay average 8 cm

maximum 50 cm 0

10

20Pa

x

OP BP 2R Pd

Channel Catfish Forked tail Jug Bay average 11.7 cm

maximum 127 cm 0

1

Pax OP

BP

2R Pd

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary Fish Identification Key 17

Appendix A: Comparison of Mummichog and Banded Killifish

Mummichog Banded Killifish Female

Male

Head

Top view

Black spots in photographs are not distinguishing characteristics. Photos by Jeffrey D. Campbell