Ironcolor, dusky, or highfin?
#1
Posted 25 September 2013 - 09:01 PM
On Peterson's range map it looks like they (N. chalybaeus) get up over the fall line a little bit, but Fritz only has one collection site above the fall line, and it is half a state away from where I was. If I count correctly, there are 7 dorsal rays, which should rule out Notropis altipinnis (highfin), but not chalybaeus. Large eye size, relative dorsal and anal fin origin, caudal fin shape, and snout shape seem to fit with chalybeus, too.
Highfin would be in range, and mostly right for appearance, but the dorsal ray count is off. Dusky (Notropis cummingsae) is in range, and fin positions would be right, but the stripe on mine doesn't come down as far as I think a dusky's would.
What say ye?
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"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#2 Guest_Skipjack_*
Posted 25 September 2013 - 09:08 PM
#3
Posted 25 September 2013 - 09:22 PM
But I will say that that the fish in the second picture look very cool with the way that their midline kinda stops behind the eye a little and then they have black lips/mouth... really nice looking little fish... Matt, would you say that these are all around the 2-3 inch range?
#4
Posted 25 September 2013 - 09:37 PM
Michael, I thought they were pretty cool, too. I especially like how the black lip markings go inside their mouths. If I had space at home I'd have kept a few. The only Notropis I think I have to worry about is bridle, and they're way across state in a completely different drainage. The ones in the picture are just over or under two inches. There were many smaller than 2 inches, less than one inch even. They were schooling up and down a good chunk of the river. I'd love to play tour guide if you wanted to see a few. They're in the Stevens Creek drainage, so my permit will cover your border crossing. Maybe we can even find a way to make 'em Georgia fish so you can take some home. Snob...
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#5
Posted 25 September 2013 - 10:31 PM
says here in Fishes of SC that ironcolors have 8 anal fin rays... and the other two species have 10-12 rays
and it also says something about the iron colors having dark color on the roof of their mouth...
and also says that bridle shiners have only 7 anal fin rays...
#6
Posted 26 September 2013 - 05:21 AM
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"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#7 Guest_Skipjack_*
Posted 26 September 2013 - 05:56 AM
#8 Guest_Dustin_*
Posted 26 September 2013 - 07:42 AM
The subtle differences between the two are shown in this photo(Apologize for the lack of coordination with the dorsal on the dusky)
If you notice where the lateral band enters the caudal fin, on the dusky, the pigment continues out into the caudal rays but on the ironcolor, it doesn't. Another difference I have noticed in hand and it is barely noticeable in the photo is that the band on the dusky will appear with a gun metal bluish tint while ironcolors still look black. Another difference is he eye. The band seems to continue straight through the eye on the ironcolor but sort of lose some of its intensity in the eye of the dusky. Also, ironcolors are small fish. If you got any in the 3+ inch range, those are for sure duskys. There are other subtle differences as well.
#9 Guest_Dustin_*
Posted 26 September 2013 - 08:10 AM
#10
Posted 26 September 2013 - 08:24 AM
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#11 Guest_gerald_*
Posted 27 September 2013 - 02:36 PM
#12
Posted 27 September 2013 - 05:03 PM
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#13 Guest_blakemarkwell_*
Posted 27 September 2013 - 08:06 PM
#14
Posted 27 September 2013 - 09:23 PM
Checking my Fishes of the Middles Savannah River Basin, they mention the anal fin ray counts... they also mention and their photos show the pigmentation on the eye on the ironcolor. They also mention a slight rosy color above and below the black tripe at the base of the caudal, which I think I can see on some of your fish. So I am going to lean slightly towards ironcolor.
And just to clarify, I am not biased one way or the other since dusky and ironcolor are both nice Georgia fish!
#15 Guest_Dustin_*
Posted 27 September 2013 - 10:02 PM
#16 Guest_Rainbowrunner_*
Posted 27 September 2013 - 11:26 PM
#17 Guest_Rainbowrunner_*
Posted 27 September 2013 - 11:38 PM
#18 Guest_Rainbowrunner_*
Posted 28 September 2013 - 12:10 AM
#19 Guest_Dustin_*
Posted 28 September 2013 - 08:19 AM
#20 Guest_Rainbowrunner_*
Posted 28 September 2013 - 09:46 AM
Edited by Rainbowrunner, 28 September 2013 - 10:14 AM.
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