Southern Brook Lamprey

The southern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon gagei) is one of six lamprey species found in Alabama. Alabama lampreys have a tube-shaped body, are less than 12 inches long, and lack upper and lower jaws. Two parasitic lampreys feed on the blood of other fishes. After feeding is completed, the lamprey will detach itself from the host fish and swim away.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Southern Brook Lamprey

Alabama Sturgeon

The endangered Alabama sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi) was described from only 32 specimens collected in the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers. Adult Alabama sturgeons can grow to 3 feet in total length and weigh up to 3 pounds. Only six of these sturgeons have been collected in the lower 134 miles of the Alabama River in the past 15 years.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Alabama Sturgeon

Bowfin

The bowfin (Amia calva) is an aggressive predator with powerful jaws and numerous sharp teeth. Anglers never keep these fishes for food because their flesh has a strong flavor and contains many small bones. Bowfins hide in aquatic vegetation and undercut banks in oxbow lakes, swamps, and low-gradient streams, and they quickly dart out to catch unsuspecting prey.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Bowfin

Bay Anchovy

The bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli) is a small marine fish that enters the lower sections of many Atlantic and Gulf Coast rivers, including the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers in Alabama. The collection of 99 bay anchovies below Selden Lock and Dam in the Black Warrior River in Greene County established a new inland range for this species.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Bay Anchovy

Cahaba Shiner

The endemic Cahaba shiner (Notropis cahabae) was described in 1989 from individuals collected in a 76-mile-long section of the upper Cahaba River. It was listed as an endangered species when its known range decreased to less than 15 river miles. A new, possibly larger, population of Cahaba shiners was discovered in the main channel of the upper Locust Fork in 1998.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Cahaba Shiner

Spotfin Shiner

The spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) is found throughout the eastern and midwestern United States, including the north Alabama section of the Tennessee River where it is abundant and widespread. Male spotfins defend small territories during the spring spawning season. They also emit audible sounds to attract females into the spawning territory.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Spotfin Shiner

Southeastern Blue Sucker

The southeastern blue sucker (Cycleptus meridionalis) is restricted to the Pearl and Pascagoula Rivers in Mississippi and Coastal Plain sections of several Mobile Basin rivers in Alabama. Adults grow to 24 inches in length and may weigh up to 12 pounds. Some of these fishes complete spawning runs that cover up to 450 miles and involve moving past navigation locks and dams.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Southeastern Blue Sucker

Spring Pygmy Sunfish

The entire range of the endemic spring pygmy sunfish (Elassoma alabamae) is restricted to two spring systems on the northern side of the Tennessee River in north Alabama. Most of its life cycle is spent in dense concentrations of submerged aquatic vegetation. Adults of this small (1 to 1.5 inches) fish spawn one year after hatching and they die shortly thereafter.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Spring Pygmy Sunfish

Atlantic Needlefish

The Atlantic needlefish (Strongylura marina) is a saltwater species, but it also ranges as far inland as Tuscaloosa in the Black Warrior River and Montgomery in the Alabama River. Individuals also entered the Tennessee River system by moving upstream through the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. The Atlantic needlefish readily spawns in freshwater.

the Geological Survey of Alabama
Atlantic Needlefish

Tuscumbia Darter

The endemic Tuscumbia darter (Etheostoma tuscumbia) is named for Tuscumbia Springs in Colbert County. Its entire range is limited to several springs found on the north and south sides of the Tennessee River in north-central Alabama. Spawning occurs from January through March. Food items include midge larvae, amphipods, and small snails.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Tuscumbia Darter

Redfin Darter

The range of the redfin darter (Etheostoma artesiae) extends from the Sabine River in Texas to the Mobile Basin in Alabama. A small population has been documented in Halawakee Creek, a tributary to the Chattahoochee River in southeastern Alabama. Male redfin darters exhibit beautiful colors to attract females during their February through April spawning season.

Courtesy of the Geological Survey of Alabama
Redfin Darter

Southern Flounder

The southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), a commercially important species throughout coastal Alabama, is the flounder featured on menus at many local restaurants. Freshwater anglers catch southern flounders, some weighing up to 3 pounds, as far inland as Coffeeville Lock and Dam in the Tombigbee River and Claiborne Lock and Dam in the Alabama River.

Courtesy of Geological Survey of Alabama
Southern Flounder