The rosyface chub (''Hybopsis rubrifrons'') is a species of

freshwater fish Freshwater fish are those that spend some or all of their lives in fresh water, such as rivers and lakes, with a salinity of less than 1.05%. These environments differ from marine conditions in many ways, especially the difference in levels of ...

in the carp family ( Cyprinidae), found in the United States.

Description

The fish is somewhat elongate and has a long snout. Its eyes are upward-looking and a barbel can be found in the corner of the mouth. It can reach a total length of 8.4 cm (3.25 in). The fish is similar to bigeye chub. It has smaller eyes, however. During the breeding season in spring, the front third of the body becomes more red, usually most pronounced on the snout. They have 35 to 39 scales along the lateral line.

Distribution and habitat

The range of the rosyface chub includes the Saluda, Savannah, Edisto, and Altamaha river drainages. It is mostly found above the

fall line A fall line (or fall zone) is the area where an upland region and a coastal plain meet and is typically prominent where rivers cross it, with resulting rapids or waterfalls. The uplands are relatively hard crystalline basement rock, and the coa ...

in these drainages. It may also have been introduced to the Chattahoochee River system. Habitats of this species include pools or edges of

riffle A riffle is a shallow landform in a flowing channel. Colloquially, it is a shallow place in a river where water flows quickly past rocks. However, in geology a riffle has specific characteristics. Topographic, sedimentary and hydraulic indica ...

s in small streams, and near

banks A bank is a financial institution that accepts deposits from the public and creates a demand deposit while simultaneously making loans. Lending activities can be directly performed by the bank or indirectly through capital markets. Becaus ...

eddy current Eddy currents (also called Foucault's currents) are loops of electrical current induced within conductors by a changing magnetic field in the conductor according to Faraday's law of induction or by the relative motion of a conductor in a magnet ...

s in larger streams and small rivers, usually over sand or gravel bottoms. The rosyface chub avoids areas with heavy

siltation Siltation, is water pollution caused by particulate Terrestrial ecoregion, terrestrial Clastic rock, clastic material, with a particle size dominated by silt or clay. It refers both to the increased concentration of suspended sediments and to the ...

. It spawns in moderately fast riffles over clean gravel.

Human interest

Aquarium

Rosyface chubs make good aquarium fish as they are quite hardy and sociable. They appreciate being among other minnows, and often school with yellowfin shiners. They are quick to reach for food once fed, and will eat frozen food, flakes, and even shrimp pellets.

Conservation status

South Carolina

While the population of the species is currently considered stable, they are of concern because of their small range, only found in a few major drainages in the state. Conservation efforts in South Carolina have a great impact upon the species as half of global distributions of the species occur in the state. Concerns for the species are similar to those of other fish in South Carolina: source pollution, deforestation, loss of riparian corridors, impoundment development, siltation resulting from poor land use practice, and poorly urban and suburban development.

References

Fish described in 1877 Freshwater fish of the United States Hybopsis {{Leuciscinae-stub