Reference Guide > Montana Fish Field Guide > Minnows > Sturgeon Chub
Sturgeon Chub - Macrhybopsis gelida
Species of Concern
Global Rank: G3
State Rank: S2
Agency Status
USFWS: none
USFS: sensitive
BLM: sensitive
CFWCS Tier: 1
General Description
The sturgeon chub is one of several native minnows found in the large eastern MT prairie river drainages (Missouri, lower Yellowstone and Powder Rivers), and is an indicator species of the Large Mainstem Warmwater River Fish Assemblage that includes other big river spp.--- the sicklefin chub, shovelnose sturgeon, freshwater drum and blue sucker. This fish is so named because its mouth is ventral and its snout is long and overhangs the mouth, somewhat like the snout of the sturgeon. Sturgeon chubs are rarely seen or collected so little is known about them. They are a Fish of Special Concern in Montana. They are typically found in the rapid, turbid waters in larger, plains streams. Their food habits are unknown, but the ventral mouth and short intestine indicate they feed on bottom-dwelling insects. Sturgeon chubs attain a maximum length of about 4 inches.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Sturgeon chub have small eyes and many external papillae on their bodies and fins, probably to aid in locating food (Cross 1967, Pflieger 1975) (AFS website 2003).
The back is brownish, and the sides and underparts are silvery to white. There is a conspicuous barbel at each corner of the mouth.
Distribution
Montana Range
Habitat
Sturgeon chub are found in turbid water with moderate to strong current over bottoms ranging from rocks and gravel to coarse sand (Brown 1971, Holton 1980).
In the Powder River, sturgeon chub were taken most frequently at sites with depths less than 51 centimeters and depth velocities of less than 90 centimeters per second at 0.6 depth (Stewart 1981, Werdon 1992, Gould unpublished data) (AFS website 2003).
Food Habits
A Powder River, Wyoming study showed sturgeon chub to feed mostly on small invertebrates living on the bottom substrate (Stewart 1980).
Ecology
Sturgeon chub are often found with longnose dace (Morris 1981). Young of the year may be associated with a sand bottom. Dam building disrupts required habitat (Stewart 1980).
Average lengths at ages 1 through 3 were calculated to be 48, 69 and 80 millimeters respectively (Werdon 1992). Apparently few fish reach age 4 (Stewart 1981) (AFS website 2003).
Reproductive Characteristics
The biology of sturgeon chub is not well known. It apparently spawns from June through July (Lee et al. 1980, Stewart 1981, Werdon 1992, Gould 1994). Ripe fish have been found in waters of about 18 to 25 degrees C. (Cross 1967, Werdon 1992, Gould 1994). Sexual maturity is obtained by age 2 at sizes of about 76 millimeters total length (Stewart 1981, Werdon 1992) (AFS website 2003). Females produce 2000 to 3500 eggs (Stewart 1980).
Management
The management of this species should involve routine monitoring (once every 2 to 3 years) of existing populations. The program should be designed to monitor population trends, range expansion or losses and collect additional information on life history and ecology. This could be conducted while sampling for other species. Recommendations for operating reservoir and irrigation projects should be developed for improving and maintaining sturgeon chub populations and habitats in Montana. Reintroduction of sturgeon chub should be considered for the lower Teton, Milk and Tongue rivers (AFS website 2003).
Citations & Sources
American Fisheries Society (AFS), Montana Chapter Website.
Holton, G. D. 2003. A field guide to Montana fishes. Mont. Dept. Fish, Wildl. Parks, 95 pp.
Citation for data on this website:
Sturgeon Chub — Macrhybopsis gelida. Montana Field Guide. Retrieved on October 23, 2008, from http://FieldGuide.mt.gov/detail_AFCJB53020.aspx |
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