Laurel Dace (Chrosomus saylori), family Leuciscidae, order Cypriniformes, found in six small streams on the Walden Ridge portion of the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, USA

ENDANGERED.

Endangered due to limited population size and geographical area, and habitat disturbance.

Described by science in 2001.

You get a Redside Dace

Today's fish of the day is the leopard dace! 

The leopard dace, also known by the scientific name Rhinichthys falcatus, is a common fish in the Pacific Northwest. Their range extends from British Columbia down to Southern Oregon, from the Pacific ocean, as far east as central Idaho. Found in and around the Fraser and Columbia river, as well as Columbia river tributaries. Particularly the Willamette, Umatilla, and Snake rivers. Despite these rivers spreading further South, these fish are extremely limited by temperature limits, as these fish must be in cool, temperate waters below 23 degrees Celsius.  As opposed to other dace fish in the same regions, the leopard dace can be found in areas of slow, and deep moving water. Living in and around gravel runs of rivers and streams. When in lakes or ponds, these fish will cluster around the rocky margins of the shore. 

Daces are known for their insectivore diet, and the leopard dace is no different. Their diet is made up primarily of flies, and water bugs, although leopard dace fry and young consume primarily zooplankton and larvae until their first birthday. This diet allows them to get to a maximum size of 12cm (around 5 inches), although most will only achieve a length of 6cm before dying. As opposed to the many other dace in the region, you can differentiate the leopard dace by their irregular blotching patterns along the back and sides. This, as well as small barbels at the corner of the jaw help differentiate from closely related species, such as the longnose dace. 

Spawning takes place in the early summer, particularly in early July to August. Eggs will be dispersed in calm, cold streams with areas of fine gravel. These eggs have an adhesive along their membrane, and will settle to the bottom of the stream, preventing predation, as well as significant displacement down the river. Fry will hatch, and then emerge from the gravel weeks later, feeding exclusively on zooplankton. Once these fish reach their first September, they may begin feeding on adult insects, with all fish eating adults by their second birthday. These fish can live as long as 5 years, although there are records of some living to 9 years in captivity. Other than these details, little is known about the reproductive strategies, and life cycle of the humble leopard dace. 

That's the leopard dace, everybody! Have a wonderful day!

Sources:

     “Leopard Dace.” Oregon Sea Grant, 14 Sept. 2024, seagrant.oregonstate.edu/WRF/native-fishes/carp/leopard-dace. 

ACNH critterpedia stamps! F2U, credit is appreciated but not necessary!

The critters are black bass, horse mackerel, crucian carp, hermit crab, damselfly, moth, centipede, dace, goldfish and bagworm in that order.

From 13-15

I was in the Alvin and Chipmunk fandom

Favorite Male Character: Simon

Favorite Female Character: Brittany

Favorite OTP: Simon x Jeanette

-------------------

From 15-17

The Smurfs fandom

Favorite Male Character: Brainy Smurf

Favorite Female Character: Vexy smurf

Favorite OTP: Brainy x Gutsy

--------------

From 17-20

The Sonic Fandom

Favorite Male Character: Shadow the hedgehog

Favorite Female Character: Sally Acorn

Favorite OTP: Sonic x Shadow

-----------

From 20-21

The Looney tunes/Loonatics unleashed fandom.

Favorite Male Character: Daffy/Danger Duck

Favorite Female Character: Lola/ Lexi Bunny

Favorite OTP: Bugs x Daffy/Ace x Duck

-----------

From 21-24

Ducktales 2017/Darkwing Duck 1991 fandom

Favorite Male Character: Drake mallard 2017/ Drake mallard 1991

Favorite Female Character: Goldie o Gilt/ Gosalyn Mallard

Favorite OTP: Drake x Launchpad 2017/ Drake x Launchpad 1991

------------

From 24-

Helluva boss/ Hazbin Hotel Fandom

Favorite Male Character: Blitzo/Alastor

Favorite Female Character: Octavia/Charlie

Favorite OTP: Stolas x Blitzo/ Alastor x Lucifer

+++++++

The reason the last three are grouped together is cause they all are in the same universe.

In order My OTPs from Least favorite to favorite is

9- Simon x Jeanette

8- Bug x Daffy

7- Ace x Danger

6- Sonic x Shadow

5- Brainy x Gutsy

4- Drake x Launchpad 2017

3- Drake x Launchpad 1991

2- Blitzo x Stolas

And number

1- Alastor x Lucifer

++++++