EntdeckenFische

Flame Chub

hemitremia flammea

The Flame Chub (Hemitremia flammea) is a captivating freshwater fish native to the southeastern United States, known for the brilliant red-orange coloration displayed by males during breeding season. This small but vibrant member of the minnow family thrives in clear, cool streams and springs, often indicating good water quality in its habitat. Its ecological role as both a consumer of small invertebrates and a prey item for larger fish highlights its importance within stream ecosystems. Despite its striking appearance, the Flame Chub is relatively shy, making it a prized sighting for aquatic enthusiasts and an important species for conservation efforts focused on preserving pristine headwater environments.

Lebensraum: Found predominantly in clear, cool, relatively swift-flowing small to medium-sized streams, creeks, and spring runs with gravel, rubble, or bedrock substrates, often associated with woody debris.

Aussehen

The Flame Chub is a small, slender fish typically growing 5 to 9 cm in length. Its body is generally silvery-tan to olive-brown on the back, fading to a lighter, silvery belly. A distinct dark lateral stripe runs from the snout through the eye to the base of the caudal fin. During the breeding season, males exhibit spectacular coloration, with the lower sides, belly, and fins (especially the caudal and anal fins) developing an intense flame-like orange-red hue. Tubercles, small nuptial bumps, may also appear on the heads of breeding males. The fins are typically clear to yellowish, with a dark spot often present at the base of the caudal fin.

ReichAnimaliaStammChordataKlasseActinopterygiiOrdnungCypriniformesFamilieLeuciscidaeGattungHemitremia

Flame Chub

Kategorie

Fische

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

Despite their small size, their vibrant breeding colors make them one of the most visually striking minnow species in their range.

Flame Chubs are a "coolwater" species, meaning they thrive in water temperatures below 20-22°C (68-72°F) and are sensitive to thermal pollution.

The scientific name "flammea" directly refers to the fiery red coloration observed in breeding males.

They are "nest associates," meaning they sometimes lay their eggs in the nests of other fish, such as creek chubs or hornyhead chubs, which then inadvertently guard the Flame Chub eggs.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Breeding male Flame Chubs develop vivid red-orange coloration on their lower sides and fins, making them highly conspicuous to attract mates during reproduction.

Their strong preference for and reliance on pristine, cool, and oxygenated water makes their presence a natural indicator of good stream health and minimal pollution.

With a small, subterminal mouth, they are adept at picking minute food items, such as insect larvae and algae, from the cracks and surfaces of rocks and gravel on the stream bottom.

Maße und Details

Länge: 5-9 cm
Gewicht: 0.005-0.015 kg
Lebenserwartung: 2-4 Jahre
Top Speed: 10 km/h
Gelegegröße: 100-500
Brutzeit: 3-7 Tage

Ernährung und Fütterung

Flame Chubs primarily consume small aquatic invertebrates, particularly insect larvae, supplemented with diatoms and other plant material scraped from the substrate.

Hauptnahrung

Mayfly larvae
Chironomid larvae
Caddisfly larvae
Copepods
Diatoms
Detritus

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Common predator in its habitat.

hunts

Mayfly Nymph

Ephemeroptera spp.

Main food source for the chub.

eaten by

Northern Watersnake

Nerodia sipedon

Common predator of small fish in streams.

competitor

Mottled Sculpin

Cottus bairdi

Competes for similar food resources in shared habitats.

Merkmale

Für dieses Objekt sind noch keine Merkmal-Badges vergeben.

Auch bekannt als

Noch keine Alternativnamen vorhanden.

Sammlungen

Sammlungen für dieses Objekt erscheinen hier, wenn weitere Themen hinzugefügt werden.

Sicherheit

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie identifiziert man Flame Chub?

Der einfachste Weg, Flame Chub zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.

Was ist der/die/das länge von Flame Chub?

5-9 cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Flame Chub?

0.005-0.015 kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Flame Chub?

2-4 Jahre

Was ist der/die/das top Speed von Flame Chub?

10 km/h

Was frisst Flame Chub?

Flame Chubs primarily consume small aquatic invertebrates, particularly insect larvae, supplemented with diatoms and other plant material scraped from the substrate.

Wo findet man Flame Chub normalerweise?

Found predominantly in clear, cool, relatively swift-flowing small to medium-sized streams, creeks, and spring runs with gravel, rubble, or bedrock substrates, often associated with woody debris.

Wie jagt Flame Chub?

Foraging