Show Notes
Get to know the American Star Drum: an abundant, silvery little bulldog-faced fish that feeds everything from popular sportfish to beloved birds and dolphins! Katrina and Guy are joined by two Georgia-based guests: Rachel Guy with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve/Georgia DNR and Bryan Fluech with the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. You'll learn about the biology of this fish and other lesser-known drums, the key role of estuaries, the Estuarine Fish Monitoring Cooperative, and coastal Georgia's fish/crustacean ID tool "What's My Bait."
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Get to know Oregon Chub, one of only two species in Oregon's endemic genus Oregonichthys. This incredible boom-n-bust, mosquito-eating pioneer happens to love the same off-channel habitats emblematic of Oregon's rich heritage that myriad native birds, amphibians, juvenile salmon, and wildlife rely upon. Our guests Matt Collver (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Native Fish Investigation Program) and Brian Bangs (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office) lead Katrina and Guy down a chub hole of discovery and the secrets of recovery: a major decline while nobody was watching, landowner's "chubs in tubs" efforts, and more!
Get to know the Grass Carp, a behemoth of a vegetarian with its very own "coming to America" story. Katrina and Guy delve into how it's situated on the fish family tree, compare and contrast it with other invasive carp and goldfish, and unveil the latest fan mail requests.
Meet the gem of the Georgia Piedmont, the Yellowfin Shiner! On this episode we learn all about the color-popping spawning habits of Yellowfins and other species in the Hydrophlox genus, their association with nest-building species like Bluehead Chubs and stonerollers, and where to spot them. You'll also get tips on successfully keeping native fish in aquaria and how to make friendships with other fish nerds. Our guests are Michael Wolfe with the North American Native Fishes Association and Bryson Hilburn from the University of Georgia and this episode is dedicated to one of our listeners.
Meet the Kala, also known as the Bluespine Unicornfish! From the horn on its head to its blue spines and tail tassels, this leathery-skinned fish is a wonder to behold and a culturally-important species in Hawaii. You'll learn about the limu-eating habits of this fish and what is known about its age and growth, the practice of "pono" science, how management informed by lawai'a, how to be a good visitor within Hawaii's ahupua'a's, and what is still to be learned about this species! Our guest, Maria "Baba" Angst from Moloka‘i, is with Hawaii's Department of Land & Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources.
Get to know the Peppered Shiner: a beautiful little endemic fish that holds a special seat in the waters of Arkansas and Oklahoma, particularly in Arkansas' Saline River where it can still be reliably found. We discuss the habits and preferences of this fish, its place in shoaling communities and where it lives, and what people can do to help ensure it doesn't blink out. We also learn about the challenges of aging juvenile minnows and what questions still need to be answered. This week's guest is Clemson PhD student Mack Calvert.