Page 77 - November/December 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

SOUTHERN REDBELLY DACE

WATCHABLE WILDLIFE • BY LYDIA GEARHART, COMMUNICATION INTERN

The southern redbelly dace (Chroso- bright yellow fins to attract mates. Breed-
mus erythrogaster) can be recognized by ing occurs mostly from April to June in

the bright red color the males acquire on shallow areas of the creeks. The males are
their undersides in the summer months. not competitive, and usually a single male
This small fish can be found in clear, will breed multiple females.

rocky streams, with spring-fed pools. One or two males will press up against
They use vegetation and overhangs on the female using their breeding tubercles

the stream banks for hiding. to hold themselves against her and to
In Oklahoma, they can be found in stimulate the release of her eggs. The
spring-fed creeks female deposits her eggs, and the eggs
As summer approaches, of the Ozarks, stick to a rock in the water. Breeding

the color of sexually Arbuckles, Wichi- can be repeated many times during the

mature males becomes ta Mountains, and breeding season. A single female’s egg
at times in the production varies from 200 to 6,000
more vibrant as they
Blue River main- eggs, depending on her size.
obtain bright red
stream. They are When the southern redbelly dace is
undersides and bright mostly found in faced with a predator, it doesn’t dart off

yellow fins to attract quiet pools but alone. Instead, they school together to

mates. can sometimes improve their chances of survival. They
be found in large also use a chemical alarm signal to warn
schools in faster-flowing water. others when danger is nearby. The other

Southern redbelly daces are minnows daces nearby will school together when
with size ranges from 1-1/2 to 2-3/4 inch- they sense the chemical alarm signal.

es long. Their average life expectancy is Southern redbelly daces are counter-
about two years. shaded: the fish is lighter on the underside
This species primarily feeds on dia- and darker on the topside. This counter-

toms, algae, and organic detritus scraped shading helps them avoid predators easier.
from the bottom. They will occasionally Overall, this unique minnow is one to

feed on aquatic insects. keep an eye out for, especially during
As summer approaches, the color of sex- summer when the males’ bright red
ually mature males becomes more vibrant undersides help them stand out in the

as they obtain bright red undersides and rocky habitats.

48 OUTDOOR OKLAHOMA