Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut

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• Knobfin Sculpin

  A newly discovered invasive species, the knobfin sculpin has had a devastating impact on the Pomperaug River ecosystem.

• Western Mosquitofish

  Western Mosquitofish have been widely introduced across the globe as a biocontrol with mixed results.

• Eastern Mosquitofish

  The Eastern Mosquitofish has been widely introduced as a biocontrol with mixed results.

• Mosquitofishes

  An introduction to mosquitofishes in Connecticut.

• Sheepshead Minnow

  The sheepshead minnow is a standard for use in many laboratory toxicity and genetics studies.

• Killifishes

  Both marine and freshwater killifishes are distributed throughout Central and Eastern North America from southern Canada to the Yucatan, including Cuba and Bermuda.

• Spotfin Killifish

  Due to their small size, spotfin killifish are difficult to identify and often mistaken for young mummichog.

• Striped Killifish

  This is the largest killifish species in Connecticut and the least tolerant of fresh water.

• White Sucker

  The white sucker is arguably our most important fish species.

• Smelts

  Relatively small, silvery fishes with a very slender, cylindrical shape.

• Bridle Shiner

  This easily overlooked minnow, the bridle shiner, is apparently declining throughout much of its range.

• Common Carp

  Learn all about common carp, one of Connecticut's biggest and hardest fighting fish!

• Golden Shiner

  Commonly sold as bait, the golden shiner is our most common lake and pond minnow species.

• Alewife

  Anadromous alewives are important forage fish for large gamefish such as striped bass and bluefish as well as many other animals, including osprey and marine mammals.

• Yellow Bullhead

  They were first observed in Connecticut in the early 1980s at a few disjunct sites in the lower Housatonic and upper Quinebaug River drainages. Populations are expanding in both of these drainages, and individuals have recently been discovered in the Connecticut River drainage as well.