bronze darter
greenbreast darter
not sure about this one...bridled?
hogsucker with some stoneroller friends
Alabama shiner
bass
this holiday darter would not sit still for a picture and just turned his back on me and left
Conasauga Snorkle
Started by
Michael Wolfe
, Jul 13 2008 10:06 PM
15 replies to this topic
#1
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 13 July 2008 - 10:06 PM
I got a chance to get out in the water with the Snorkelmeister this weekend. Took my son along and we all had a pretty good time just north of the GA border in the TN part of the Conasauga. Saw quite a few fish in a very short seciton of the river... drum, red horse, bass, sunfish, blue shiner, alabama shiner, tricolor shiner, hog sucker, stone roller, bronze darter, holiday darter, greebreast darter, bridled darter (I think), black banded darter, and logperch (flippin' stones). Here are a few underwater shots, some of these guys will sit still and others are just a blur, forgive the burry ones.
bronze darter
greenbreast darter
not sure about this one...bridled?
hogsucker with some stoneroller friends
Alabama shiner
bass
this holiday darter would not sit still for a picture and just turned his back on me and left
bronze darter
greenbreast darter
not sure about this one...bridled?
hogsucker with some stoneroller friends
Alabama shiner
bass
this holiday darter would not sit still for a picture and just turned his back on me and left
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#4
Guest_farmertodd_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 11:15 AM
Great stuff Michael! What camera are you using?
Yes, that's the bridled darter (Percina kusha), the bass is M. coosae, which has about 500 common names (Coosa bass, redeye bass, etc).
I'm not sure that I agree the Cyprinella is a blue shiner. Looks more like an Alabama shiner to me (and the habitat fits callista better), but that's a bad angle, and I've given up on ID'ing any cyprinind from photographs
Again, great stuff. I'm so jealous!
Todd
Yes, that's the bridled darter (Percina kusha), the bass is M. coosae, which has about 500 common names (Coosa bass, redeye bass, etc).
I'm not sure that I agree the Cyprinella is a blue shiner. Looks more like an Alabama shiner to me (and the habitat fits callista better), but that's a bad angle, and I've given up on ID'ing any cyprinind from photographs
Again, great stuff. I'm so jealous!
Todd
#5
Guest_Casper Cox_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 11:32 AM
Hi Michael...
Most of your ids are right on but that "Blue Shiner" is certainly a Alabama Shiner. And you will not find any TN Shiners in the Conasauga.
That is probably a Holiday Darter that has his back to you. Snub nose and red and green give it away easy. They are pretty common at the site.
To bad you did not get a Tricolor shot. Those were the handsome ones for the day. Blue Shiners seem to more like that quiet water near vegeatation and sand. Very pretty when you find a full male.
Thanks for coming. Michael, his son Andrew, myself and my daughter Cyan of 8 helped out Jim H of the Cherokee Forest doing a public awareness snorkel. Lots of gear to setup, rinse, organize, distribute and repack. There were about 15 folks of all ages in the river for a couple hours. Nice day. Everyone had fun. This site gets more crowded every year, many folks bringing along masks and snorkels along with their picnic baskets. Jim organizes about a dozen of these outings each season.
My best "see" for the day was face to face in the shallows with a 24" to 30" River Redhorse. Usually they are in deep water but this guy and i had a pretty good stare session going just below a riffle run.
Most of your ids are right on but that "Blue Shiner" is certainly a Alabama Shiner. And you will not find any TN Shiners in the Conasauga.
That is probably a Holiday Darter that has his back to you. Snub nose and red and green give it away easy. They are pretty common at the site.
To bad you did not get a Tricolor shot. Those were the handsome ones for the day. Blue Shiners seem to more like that quiet water near vegeatation and sand. Very pretty when you find a full male.
Thanks for coming. Michael, his son Andrew, myself and my daughter Cyan of 8 helped out Jim H of the Cherokee Forest doing a public awareness snorkel. Lots of gear to setup, rinse, organize, distribute and repack. There were about 15 folks of all ages in the river for a couple hours. Nice day. Everyone had fun. This site gets more crowded every year, many folks bringing along masks and snorkels along with their picnic baskets. Jim organizes about a dozen of these outings each season.
My best "see" for the day was face to face in the shallows with a 24" to 30" River Redhorse. Usually they are in deep water but this guy and i had a pretty good stare session going just below a riffle run.
#6
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 14 July 2008 - 11:53 AM
Great stuff Michael! What camera are you using?
Yes, that's the bridled darter (Percina kusha), the bass is M. coosae, which has about 500 common names (Coosa bass, redeye bass, etc).
I'm not sure that I agree the Cyprinella is a blue shiner. Looks more like an Alabama shiner to me (and the habitat fits callista better), but that's a bad angle, and I've given up on ID'ing any cyprinind from photographs
Again, great stuff. I'm so jealous!
Todd
Camera is a little Pentax Optio WP of some sort... just a basic underwater point and shoot really... I will take a look at it tonight to see...
I was confused about the shiner all around... I saw blues, and tricolors, and Alabamas, so I likely labeled the picture wrong... per Casper's post.
It was a great day in the water for sure.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#7
Michael Wolfe
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 14 July 2008 - 11:57 AM
Yeah, I got my states mixed up in the text listing of the shiners (too bad we can't go back and edit those posts, I hate being wrong for ever)... and my ID mixed up on the photo... 
The darter was definitely a holiday (Andrew and I saw several).
The tricolors were just too fast for photography... we need the Farmer out there with his big boy video camera.
The darter was definitely a holiday (Andrew and I saw several).
The tricolors were just too fast for photography... we need the Farmer out there with his big boy video camera.
Most of your ids are right on but that "Blue Shiner" is certainly a Alabama Shiner. And you will not find any TN Shiners in the Conasauga.
That is probably a Holiday Darter that has his back to you. Snub nose and red and green give it away easy. They are pretty common at the site.
To bad you did not get a Tricolor shot. Those were the handsome ones for the day. Blue Shiners seem to more like that quiet water near vegeatation and sand. Very pretty when you find a full male.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#8
Guest_farmertodd_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 01:56 PM
The Farmer couldn't even really get 'em with zee Big Boy Camera. That is one neurotic fish, truly a fart in a windstorm, a gnat on crystal meth. They take "gotta swim, gotta swim, gotta swim" to a brand new level! I guess you just have to enjoy them in person!
One of my good friends just took a job at Reinhardt College (Steve Powers position now that he's headed to Roanoke). I think Casp and Michael will remember Zach and Gwen from the Marital Bliss October Fish Fest? Yep, Zach got the job, and he's so excited to start being a natural historian again. He'll be teaching the zoology courses, and will be getting those kids in the field. His forte are herps, but he's excited to learn the fish! Y'all will have to hook up and I'll be sure to catch up when I can!
Todd
I guess you just have to enjoy them in person!One of my good friends just took a job at Reinhardt College (Steve Powers position now that he's headed to Roanoke). I think Casp and Michael will remember Zach and Gwen from the Marital Bliss October Fish Fest? Yep, Zach got the job, and he's so excited to start being a natural historian again. He'll be teaching the zoology courses, and will be getting those kids in the field. His forte are herps, but he's excited to learn the fish! Y'all will have to hook up and I'll be sure to catch up when I can!
Todd
#9
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 14 July 2008 - 02:15 PM
One of my good friends just took a job at Reinhardt College (Steve Powers position now that he's headed to Roanoke). I think Casp and Michael will remember Zach and Gwen from the Marital Bliss October Fish Fest? Yep, Zach got the job, and he's so excited to start being a natural historian again. He'll be teaching the zoology courses, and will be getting those kids in the field. His forte are herps, but he's excited to learn the fish! Y'all will have to hook up and I'll be sure to catch up when I can!
Yes, I think I remember that guy... and I certainly know Reinhart College... in beautiful Waleska, GA... used to hang out there some in days gone by... should be good fishin over that way, up in the foothills.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#11
Guest_UncleWillie_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 06:39 PM
Michael, great pictures. Sounds like a fun trip. My boss and some collegues will be up there snorkling this weekend. I am not able to make it though. Just wanted to let you know that there is a darter up there that is undescribed that looks like the bridled darter (Percina sp. cf. P. macrocephala). That is great that you saw it and got a picture! I wish I could go up there this weekend - tis a shame. I hear that the water temps are not as cold as thought right now.
#13
Guest_dsmith73_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 08:53 PM
It's been described, right? Published in the last few months? Why am I drawing a blank....Not as cold?! Casper and I were in the 'sauga in late April 07. Great colors that time of year.
Yes, it has. Todd already mentioned it earlier. The bridled darter is now P. kusha.
#14
Guest_UncleWillie_*
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Posted 14 July 2008 - 09:05 PM
QUOTE(ashtonmj @ Jul 14 2008, 08:15 PM)
It's been described, right? Published in the last few months? Why am I drawing a blank....Not as cold?! Casper and I were in the 'sauga in late April 07. Great colors that time of year.
Yes, it has. Todd already mentioned it earlier. The bridled darter is now P. kusha.
Oh, gotcha. Sorry guys, I'm a bit out of date. Good stuff. I am going to try to head there in early September and try to see some stuff before it gets colder. Also, in September, I plan on becoming a bit more active on the board since I will have a bit more time.
#15
Guest_Casper Cox_*
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Posted 15 July 2008 - 10:11 AM
Conasauga temps are very nice now. They were 75 last weekend. With the sun shining on your back you can bareskin it for an hour or so. Sometimes the temps can reach into the low 80's, like bath water.
One can get nice views of Tricolors by planting yourself at a spawning location. They like crevases and logs. At the right time and place one can see 2 or 3 males circling and displaying, full extended finnage. A sight to behold. That is your camera opportunity. That is one of my favorite shiners. They do well in the cement pond too and spawn in the crevases between cinder blocks.
Attached is Jim Herrig's pic of the weekend. The Bridled Darter.
I'm confused by this "recently described, new name" discussion. ?
I have opened the field guide to Fishes of the Conasauga River System. Composed by Chris Skelton and Brett Albanese, this is a great book, printed in 2006. Percina sp. cf. P. macrocephala, the Bridled Darter. I do hear of a similiar darter downstream described as the Muscadine Darter.
But in the Conasauga it is the Bridled Darter. Correct?
i dont know what this means... "sp. cf." used in the latin name that is in the field guide.
Are we confusing the Bridled and the Muscadine?
?
One can get nice views of Tricolors by planting yourself at a spawning location. They like crevases and logs. At the right time and place one can see 2 or 3 males circling and displaying, full extended finnage. A sight to behold. That is your camera opportunity. That is one of my favorite shiners. They do well in the cement pond too and spawn in the crevases between cinder blocks.
Attached is Jim Herrig's pic of the weekend. The Bridled Darter.
I'm confused by this "recently described, new name" discussion. ?
I have opened the field guide to Fishes of the Conasauga River System. Composed by Chris Skelton and Brett Albanese, this is a great book, printed in 2006. Percina sp. cf. P. macrocephala, the Bridled Darter. I do hear of a similiar darter downstream described as the Muscadine Darter.
But in the Conasauga it is the Bridled Darter. Correct?
i dont know what this means... "sp. cf." used in the latin name that is in the field guide.
Are we confusing the Bridled and the Muscadine?
?
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