Best Management Practices Sicklefin chub MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION meeki

Common name • Sicklefin chub Channelization and impoundments should be Scientific name • Macrhybopsis meeki avoided in areas where there is available habitat Federal status • Candidate for sicklefin chubs.

Ecology General Recommendations The sicklefin chub is restricted to the Missouri Refer to Management Recommendations for River and the River downstream of the Construction Projects Affecting Missouri Streams confluence of these two rivers. It inhabits the and Rivers. main channels of these large, turbid rivers where it lives in a strong current over a substrate of sand Information Contacts or fine gravel. Sicklefin chubs are likely bottom For information regarding regulations for feeders and locate food by external taste buds on development in rivers and streams, contact: the body, as well as by sorting through food taken off the river bottom. Spawning occurs in the Missouri Department of Conservation Policy Coordination Section spring, likely between late March and May. Adult P.O. Box 180 sicklefin chubs are typically 2.4-4.0 inches in 2901 W.Truman Blvd length. Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 Telephone:573/751-4115 Reason for Decline Missouri Department of Natural Resources Division of Environmental Quality Surveys conducted on the Missouri and P.O. Box 176 Mississippi rivers during the 1940s show that the Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 sicklefin chub was not very common. Since then, Telephone:573/526-3315 the population has become steady in the Missouri U.S. Army Corps of Engineers River below the mouth of the Gasconade River Regulatory Branch and has been found in the Middle Mississippi 700 Federal Building Kansas City, MO 64106-2896 River in higher numbers than indicated by past Telephone:816/983-3990 records. However, this may be due to increased efficiency in sampling for this species. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division sicklefin chub has declined because the number 901 North 5th Street and area of sand and gravel shoals and bars have Kansas City, KS 66101 been eliminated by channel training activities. Telephone:913/551-7307 These areas are especially important for young-of- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the-year fish. Changed natural flow regimen and Ecological Services Field Office reduced turbidity caused by 608 E. Cherry Street, Room 200 mainstream reservoirs have degraded sicklefin Columbia,MO 65201 Telephone:573/876-1911 chub habitat. Other factors including point and non-point source pollution have likely reduced the population, too. Disclaimer These Best Management Practices were prepared Specific Recommendations by the Missouri Department of Conservation with assistance from other state agencies, contractors Missouri contains one of the best populations of and others to provide guidance to those people sicklefin chub in its historical range. It is who wish to voluntarily act to protect wildlife and important to protect shoals and sand bar habitat to habitat. Compliance with Best Management help ensure the survival of this species. Practices is not required by the Missouri wildlife Project activities should not occur below water and forestry law nor by any regulation of the levels between March 1 and July 31 and should Missouri Conservation Commission. Other avoid main channel areas. federal, state or local laws may affect construction Practices that will increase siltation or erosion practices. should be avoided. 6/2000