Swampfish, Chologaster cornuta

 
Physical Description: 
·	Tiny eyes
·	No pelvic fins
·	Elongate body, round anteriorly and compressed posteriorly
·	Depressed head
·	Supraterminal mouth with a fleshy lower lip that occludes the upper lip
·	Papillae on head, body, and caudal fin
·	Cycloid scales are tiny and embedded
·	No gill rakers
·	Male snout tip with a Y-shaped fleshy appendage; female snout tip with two fleshy bumps
·	Short, rounded dorsal fin
·	Spatulate caudal fin
·	Brown back, black stripes, orange or yellow cast on the head

Similar species: 
·	Springfish (Chologaster agassizi)

Mean body size:
·	Adults are 25-50 mm standard length 

Habitat:
·	Lowland swampy rivers, ponds, and lakes that are acidic and bog-like

Distribution in VA:
·	Chowan, Chickahominy systems in the James drainage, and Dismal Swamp

Food Habits:  
·	Midge larvae, amphipods, cladocerans
·	Feed at night

Reproductive Habits: 
·	Usually die after spawning
·	Spawning occurs in early March through mid-April at 13-19°C
·	Fecundity is 339-426 eggs.
·	Maybe branchial brooding, but no evidence of this

Population Status, Economic, or Ecological Importance: 
·	Aquarium fish

References:       

Jenkins, R.E and N.M. Burkhead. 1993. Freshwater Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, Maryland.