Fish in Focus: Northern studfish, Fundulus catenatus
Northern Studfish, Fundulus catenatus
© Garold W. Sneegas and Aquatic Kansas Images
Nikonos II, 35mm and Hydro Photo T1 close-up lens, 1/60 sec. at f/16, Ikelite Ai and Ms substrobes, Fujichrome Velvia 50
Northern Studfish prefer the shallow backwaters and pools of clear rocky creeks to medium sized rivers. As with other members of the Fundulidae, they have specialized jaws adapted for feeding on the water surface. Breeding males often have bright blue sides. Their widest range is from southern Missouri to northern Arkansas and the eastern two thirds of Tennessee. Other populations are found in Kentucky, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma and Indiana.