Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014 - 53

This small minnow (the largest
specimens may grow to 3½ inches) is
considered by many to be one of North
America's most dazzling fish and would
give most aquarium tropical fish a run for
their money. However, it is as rare as it is
brilliant in Pennsylvania.
Its tortured taxonomy is enough to
give the Southern Red Belly Dace an
identity crisis. It was originally assigned
to the Genus Chrosomus, meaning
"colored body." Then, it was "reassigned"
to Phoxinus ("tapering"). Most recently,
it was moved back into Chrosomus. Two
other redbelly dace species also occur
in the Keystone State. The Northern
Redbelly Dace, which had not been seen
here since the 1860s until a few years ago
and is listed as an endangered species,
occurs in very small numbers in Erie and
Warren counties. To further confusion,
these two fish shared the species name
erythrogaster, meaning "red belly," and
were considered conspecific (of the same
species) for many years.
The Mountain Redbelly Dace, a more
southern species, was recently discovered
in two small streams in Huntingdon
County and has been established there
since at least the mid-1990s. These
populations are most likely the result of
bait bucket releases by anglers.
Southern Red Belly Daces are most
fond of clear, cool, small to
medium sized streams
and spring runs
where they prefer
quiet pools with
gravel, rubble or
silty bottoms.
Ideal habitat
includes
cutbanks and
woody debris
that provide
protection
from predators.
There are a few old
records from swampy areas in Crawford
County as well.
These fish are primarily vegetarians,
preferring a menu of algae and decomposing plant material,
which they pick off the bottom along with copious amounts
of sand and muck. A very long intestine aids digestion of this
bland diet. Large individuals occasionally enjoy a side dish of
aquatic insect larvae.
Spawning occurs in May, June and into July. This is when
the male Southern Red Belly Dace is at his stunning best.
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The female, laden with eggs that may account for ¼ of its
body weight, is also quite colorful during this time period.
These minnows spawn in schools and may move about over
gravelly shallows as a single scarlet mass.
Historically, this fish could be found in a number
of western streams and marshes from Beaver and
Westmoreland counties north to Crawford and McKean
counties. Recent surveys, however, have failed to turn up
these dace at many early collection sites, and they may
no longer exist in Butler, McKean, Warren or
Westmoreland counties.
This decline can be attributed to a number of factors
including the conversion of springs to livestock watering
holes; siltation and sedimentation from logging, agriculture
and development; water temperature increases; lowering of
local water tables; pollution events; and bait collecting.
In neighboring Ohio where it was much more widespread,
according to ichthyologist Milton Trautman, the Southern
Red Belly Dace "has been extirpated from innumerable
brooks and from large sections of Ohio." He also noted
that these schooling fish were extremely vulnerable to bait
collectors. In a few hours, two seiners could remove 75
percent of the population of a ½-mile section of stream.
As their larger streams became warmer and siltier,
these dace either died out or withdrew to the smallest of
tributaries, if conditions permitted. In these tiny streams and
runs, they survive in smaller numbers and are much more
vulnerable to threats and changes in the environment. And,
these threats, with the possible exception of bait collecting,
have not abated and may be increasing.
The explosive growth of the gas industry in western
Pennsylvania is cause for considerable concern. Well site
clearing activities, as well as an increase in construction of
gathering pipelines, has the potential to seriously impact very
small watersheds and drainages that may serve as the last
refuge for these fragile fish.
Based on its decline in the state, and the continued level of
threats, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission listed the
Southern Red Belly Dace as a threatened species.
Although this small minnow's outlook appears gloomy,
there are bright spots. A few new populations have recently
come to light. In Lawrence and Mercer counties in 2002,
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy personnel found these
dace during surveys of small streams on which they had
installed streambank fencing on family farms. In 2011
though 2012, a few of these fish were found in tributaries to
one of the historic Crawford County marshes.
Although living in very small watersheds makes these dace
vulnerable to even relatively minor disturbances, the size of
these streams and drainages also makes habitat improvement
and recovery efforts more feasible. Streambank fencing
reduces siltation and direct disturbance to stream bottoms.
And, the resulting increase in vegetation, as well as riparian
plantings, increases shade and helps keep waters cool.
However, small projects on small streams are little more
than a band-aid in the conservation of this striking fish if the
factors that threaten its survival in Pennsylvania are not
soon addressed.

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * January/February 2014

53
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - January/February 2014

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