U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Cape Fear Shiner ( mekistocholas)

Description

The Cape Fear shiner (Notropis mekistocholas) is a small (about two inches long) yellowish with a black band along its sides. The fins are yellow and somewhat pointed. The upper lip is black, and the lower lip has a thin black bar along its margin.

Habitat

The species is generally associated with gravel, cobble, and boulder substrates, and is known to inhabit slow pools, riffles, and runs. These areas Captive Population of Cape Fear shiners. Photo by Conservation Fisheries, Inc. occasionally support American Juveniles are often found in slack Fear shiners are known from the water willow (), water, among large rock outcrops mainstem and some tributaries of which may be used by the of the midstream, and in flooded the Deep, Rocky, Haw, and Cape minnow as cover or protection side channels and pools. Fear Rivers in Chatham, Harnett, from predators. The Cape Fear Lee, Moore, and Randolph shiner can be found swimming in Life History counties. The total number of schools of other minnow species shiners throughout their restricted but is never the most abundant The Cape Fear shiner is thought range is not known. species. to live to about three years of age in the wild. In captivity, however, During the spawning season, the minnow can live to six years Cape Fear shiner adults move to of age. Reproductive maturity is slower flowing pools to lay eggs reached after the first year. on the rocky substrate. Adults lay eggs in the spring and Cape Fear shiner range within summer (May - July), when water Threats temperatures are warm. Eggs hatch about three days later, but Like many imperiled aquatic the fry continue to gain species, the Cape Fear shiner is nourishment from the yolk sack threatened with habitat loss and for another five days. degradation. The species’ habitat becomes unsuitable when flow or Distribution water levels change from dams or other stream alterations. The Cape Fear shiner is endemic These isolate shiners into small to the upper pockets of suitable habitat, thus Cape Fear shiner habitat in the Rocky River. basin in the central piedmont of making them vulnerable to Photo by David Rabon/USFWS North Carolina. Currently, Cape extirpation. In addition, approximately 17 river What You Can Do miles of the Deep River, Rocky River, Fork Creek, and Bear Creek • Support measures related to have been designated as critical keeping our streams and lakes habitat for the Cape Fear shiner. clean, such as land-use planning that overtly maintains forested Partners in Restoration riparian buffers and water quality.

In 2005 Restoration Systems of • Plant and maintain native Greensboro worked with others to vegetation along streams and demolish Carbonton Dam on the creeks. These “vegetated buffers” Deep River. After removal, Cape prevent the erosion of soil and Fear shiners moved into newly sediments into the water after suitable habitat near the old dam. heavy rains, keeping the stream The dam’s removal allowed Cape clear and clean. Fear shiners to occupy 47 continuous miles of the Deep River • Be careful when using toxic Carbonton Dam on the Deep River, before and between High Falls Dam in central substances such as motor oil, during its demolition. The dam’s removal Moore County and Lockville Dam in pesticides, fertilizers, and other allowed Cape Fear shiner movement between eastern Lee County. chemicals near creeks and two previously separated subpopulations. Photos by Mike Wicker/USFWS streams. Always follow the Carbonton dam removal is one instructions for chemical use, and Pollution also causes habitat recent restoration success story. properly dispose of any remaining degradation. Chemicals in Preventing further habitat loss and material and the container. fertilizers, pesticides, wastewater restoring past habitats will help and other sources, especially at ensure the future of the Cape Fear • Keep livestock out of rivers and high concentrations, can reduce shiner. streams. Livestock can damage growth and survival of Cape Fear the stream banks by trampling shiners. Pollutants enter rivers Cape Fear shiner conservation and eating the bank vegetation, from stormwater and sediment partnerships are growing and causing erosion of the bank. running off roads, agricultural active participants include: Livestock and their waste can fields, and developed areas. also pollute the water. Another threat is the introduction NC Wildlife Resources Commission of nonnative fish which can cause NC Natural Heritage Program • Watch for fish kills, illegal increased predation on shiners. NC Parks and Recreation dumping of waste, unusual water Chatham Conservation Partnership color or smell, and other changes Conservation Triangle Land Conservancy in the river’s condition. Report Assembly environmental emergencies (e.g., To help secure the future of the NC Zoological Park fish kills, oil or chemical spills) Cape Fear shiner, the U.S. Fish Conservation Fisheries, Inc. affecting water resources to the and Wildlife Service added the Citizens like you!!! N.C. Division of Emergency shiner as an endangered species Management at 1-800-858-0368. to the Federal Endangered and Threatened Species List in 1987. Additional Information Congress, recognizing that many of our nation's valuable plant and For additional information about wildlife resources have been lost the Cape Fear shiner, visit our and that others are imperiled, website at: passed the Endangered Species U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http://www.fws.gov/raleigh/specie Act in 1973 as a means to help Post Office Box 33726 s/es_cfshiner.html. preserve species and their Raleigh, North Carolina 27636-3726 Telephone: (919) 856-4520 habitats for future generations. Prepared (10/10)