This is a long, but a good read! Educate yo self! 🤙🤙🤙 Thanks to our good friend @codycray for enlightening us on the importance of endemic fishes in aquatic systems. Cody is an aquatic biology Ph.D. student at Texas State University, with a major focus on community ecology of karst aquifer system fishes of central Texas. The springs of central Texas hold a special place in the hearts of Texans. These springs, and the huge recreational value they provide come from the Edward’s Aquifer. The 68-72 degree year-round water temperatures also provide a stable environment for a select group of endemic fishes that live in the spring-fed rivers of central Texas. To date, 15 recognized fish species are associated with the springs, including two subterranean species that are found below ground in the aquifer itself. So what is it about the springs that makes them such good habitats for spring fish? It was hypothesized that spring fishes have physiologies that perform better in these stable, cool water environments of springs, thus allowing them to outcompete other species that may enter the spring systems but are not as well adapted to handle it. Many studies have aimed at proving this point. One study of note was conducted where a spring fish species and a riverine fish species were placed in a spring (72 degree) or a typical summertime (86 degree) temperature and were fed 5 food items. The spring fish ate first and more at spring temperatures, whereas the riverine-associated fish ate first and more at warmer riverine temperatures. Although more work needs to be done to find the exact physiological mechanism, endemic spring fishes seem to be dependent of both the water quality and quantity of springs from the Edwards Aquifer. So the next time you decide to swim, fish, snorkel, or tube these unique systems of central Texas, be on the lookout for these endemic spring fishes that few people know to look for. Take pride in Texas being home to some truly unique and beautiful fishes that can be found nowhere else on earth! 📷Bonner Lab - Texas State University . #bocachicabaits #texasstatefisheries #texasstateuniversity #springfed #comalriver #guadaluperiver #frioriver (at Comal River) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrGcU3lgmnG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i8wfm6jvq2ef
