Survey of Fishes

Question 1

Anadromous fish

Answer 1

Fish that live in saltwater but spawn in freshwater

Question 2

Catadromous fish

Answer 2

Fish that live in freshwater but spawn in saltwater

Question 3

Types of fish regulation (4 in total)

Answer 3

1. Riffle spawning
2. Vegetation spawning
3. Broadcast spawning
4. Nest building

Question 4

Family Lepisosteidae

Answer 4

Gars
- Predators that live in middle/top waters
- Vascularized swim bladder
- Primitive

Question 5

Family Clupeidae

Answer 5

Shad
- Filter feeders in the middle of the water column
- Important forage fish

Question 6

Family Cyprinidae

Answer 6

Minnows
- Largest family in Alabama
- Live in all habitats
- mostly omnivorous
- Primarily in the middle of the water column

Question 7

Family Catostomidae

Answer 7

Suckers
- Ventral mouth bottom feeders
- Omnivorous
- Riffle spawners

Question 8

Family Ictaluridae

Answer 8

Catfish
- Scent feeders
- Varied habitats
- Spiny fins

Question 9

Family Esocidae

Answer 9

Pikes
- Live in weeds
- Ambush predators
- Toothy

Question 10

Family Fundulidae

Answer 10

Topminnows
- Superior mouth
- Feed on mosquitos
- Live in shallow water

Question 11

Family Poeciliidae

Answer 11

Livebearers
- Mosquito fish (Gambusia)
- Superior mouth and feed on mosquitos
- Livebearers with males having a gonopodium

Question 12

Family Moronidae

Answer 12

Striped Basses
- Pelagic
- Shad feeders
- 4 “stripes” in state

Question 13

Family Centrachidae

Answer 13

Sunfish
- Includes black basses, crappie, and “bream”
- Nest builders

Question 14

Family Percidae

Answer 14

Perches and Darters
- Fins adapted for current because they live in flowing water
- Beautiful and sensitive
- Indicator of stream health

Question 15

What are the 5 most common fish families in the state in order?

Answer 15

1. Cyprinidae
2. Percidae
3. Catostomidae
4. Centrachidae
5. Ictaluridae