Fish of the Day
Today's fish of the day is the Umpqua pikeminnow!
The Umpqua pikeminnow, also known by scientific name ptychocheilus umpquae, is the smallest of the pikeminnow genus. Found in and around Southwestern Oregon, endemic only to the Umpqua and Siuslaw rivers, and drainage sites. Although in recent times this fish has accidentally been introduced into the Rogue river, where they are now invasive and impacting native fishes. These fish live in and around slower water, in deep pools, creeks, and small shallow rivers.
Despite a lack of teeth, the pikeminnow is a voracious predator, capable of taking down rather large salmonids. As a direct result of their large diet, this fish can reach up to 17 inches in length, although most will only grow to 12 inches. Despite being the smallest pikeminnow species, this is an impressive size! However, before these fish are large enough to take down full grown salmon and trout, juvenile Umpqua pikeminnow feed on smaller fry. Often also feeding on salmon young. Due to feeding primarily on salmon, which are considered a game species, there is pressure to eliminate pikeminnow from their natural ranges, with chemicals such as squoxin being added to lakes and river systems to choke out the native pikeminnows. This may be necessary in some areas, due to an overabundance of these pikeminnows and populations of salmon dropping. However, in other areas due to their classification as "trash fish" and as unwanted catch by anglers, they have been eliminated under guise of salmon protection.
The Umpqua pikeminnow has little known information about the reproduction and lifecycle, so much information is based on their closest relative, the Northern pikeminnow. Northern pikeminnow spawn in the summer months, swimming North in river systems to distribute eggs across fine gravel or cobbles. These eggs will then drift downstream until they reach calmer, shallower places in river systems, hatching within 2 weeks. The Northern pikeminnow will go on to mature from an age of 3-5 years in male fish, and 6 years for female fish, surviving around 11 years before passing.
That's the Umpqua pikeminnow, everybody! I hope you enjoyed reading about them!
