Black Redhorse Reappears in Fish Creek
This summer brought an exhilarating find: the reappearance of the Black Redhorse, Moxostoma duquesnei, a Threatened Species at Risk fish, in the waters of Fish Creek!
This species of sucker, found in only a few rivers in Canada, had not been recorded in the Fish Creek subwatershed in over two decades. This discovery signals successful local conservation efforts.
Imagine encountering a stunning medium sized, metallic bluish-black fish with large yellow eyes and a vertically oriented suckermouth. This discovery spurred extra excitement for the Upper Thames River Conservation Area (UTRCA) aquatic staff. Their summer field season objective was to confirm the historical distribution of the Black Redhorse in the Upper Thames River, and this fish species was not just found in Fish Creek, but many other spots along the Thames where it had been documented historically.
First designated as At-Risk in Canada in 1988, the Black Redhorse’s threatened status was reconfirmed in 2019 due to the cumulative threats jeopardizing its survival. Vulnerable to pollution, this fish prefers to live in moderate-sized, cool, clear, and fast-flowing streams. Unfortunately, they tend to disappear from excessively silty aquatic environments. The main threats they face include pollution, climate change, severe weather, invasive species, human intrusion, and dams and barriers.
Previously, biologists pinpointed the Thames River and the Grand River tributaries as having the healthiest of the remaining Black Redhorse populations in Canada. In fact, these populations might play a pivotal role in future conservation strategies, including translocations or artificial propagation if needed to bolster the species.
Given their At-Risk status, the presence of Black Redhorse in the Upper Thames River watershed is a sign that local conservation efforts are working. It is a small victory, signifying that the creek remains habitable to one of our country’s most at-risk species. The UTRCA works with local landowners and community partners striving to improve water quality. Through stewardship initiatives, the Authority contributes to creating better living conditions for fish in rivers and streams.
Tatianna Lozier, UTRCA’s Stewardship Services Coordinator, shares about the program, “In the last twenty years, the Clean Water Program has funded 85 projects in Fish Creek. This figure is just a fraction of the various stewardship initiatives occurring in the watershed beyond our program’s scope. The most commonly funded projects are tree planting, erosion control structures, and cover crops, all aimed at reducing sediment and nutrient runoff into nearby waterways. Over the last few years, there has been an increase in requests for stewardship support in Fish Creek, a trend that we are happy to see. Hope remains for the long-term improvement of the subwatershed’s health.”