Exploring Georgia's Freshwater Fish Species
Instead of “Colors of the Wind,” Pocahontas should have sang “Colors of the Creek.” Have you ever showed someone a photo of a colored up male freshwater fish and they respond with “Wow, some freshwater fish are as beautiful as tropical reef fish!” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this, but it... Continue Reading →
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was volunteering with a graduate student, Andrea Davis, to help her conduct her thesis research. Her thesis was investigating the role of long distance dispersal in the response of stream fishes to urbanization (so cool!). I was only planning on helping her out this one time... Continue Reading →
Last night, I was fortunate enough to attend the South Fork Conservancy's 2018 Creek Rising event with my dad at Zonolite Park. This is an annual event held to thank the sponsors and to show the future plans for the trails/parks along the creek. My dad helped design the amazing pedestrian bridge and outlooks that... Continue Reading →
Happy Holidays from the one and only Christmas Darter, Etheostoma hopkinsi! Most of the darter species in GA are beautifully colored, but I must say one of the most surprising colorations comes on the Christmas Darter, Etheostoma hopkinsi. I like to describe them as surprising because we found them in creeks that I wouldn't have... Continue Reading →
Studfish are in the fundulidae family (topminnows and killifish) and the males are definitely studs with their colorations. The two studfish I've seen the most are the Northern Studfish, Fundulus catenatus, and the Southern Studfish, Fundulus stellifer. The hard part is remembering which is which, but there is one obvious physical characteristic to tell them apart (other... Continue Reading →
If you're from the South, you've most likely heard of a fish with the nickname "horny head." This usually refers to several species of chubs found in small creeks, but most commonly refers to the Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalus). For those of you who haven't heard of horny heads, I bet you're wondering where that... Continue Reading →
Georgia is home to about 45 different species of darters. Unfortunately, it's difficult to keep a solid count because fish taxonomy is constantly changing. (Nonetheless, that means new species and improving our genetic libraries to maintain accuracy in Fish ID.) Darters are in the family Percidae which also includes logperches and walleye. Yes, there is... Continue Reading →
My name is Kelly Strychalski and I have always had a passion for the great outdoors. I was born and raised in Georgia, a true Georgia Peach, but it wasn't until the past couple of years that I explored my love of freshwater fish. Growing up, I was always obsessed with learning everything I could... Continue Reading →
Peach State Fish 