(1953–1954) Job Completion Report: Inventory of species present and their distribution in those portions of the Middle and South Concho Rivers occuring within Tom Green, Reagan, Irion and Schl

--- Page 1 --- 1D. 7 L ; STATE Texas PROJECT NO, F-5-R-1, Job B~6 PERIOD June 22, 1953 - June 12, 1954 Job Completion Report Lawrence Campbell TITLE Inventory of species present and their distribution in those portions of the Mid- die and South Concho Rivers occuring within Tom Green, Reagan, Irion and Schleicher Counties, Texas. OBJECTIVES To determine distriibution of species present, their relative abundance, and the ecological factors influencing their distribution. METHODS Forty-seven seining collections were made at fifteen locations on the South and Middle Concho watershed. In nearly all collections both 26 ft. va mesh bag seines and 15 ft. a mesh common sense seines were used. To estimate relative abundance a count was wade of all individuals taken in sixteen collections. Four collectims were taken in each type stream habitat, and the resulting data analyzed on a seasonal basis. In other collections data pertaining to species distribution only was recorded and in addition to the above equipment, six ft. and four ft. common sense seines and 1/8" mesh fry seines were employed. Sixteen gill net collections were made. Experimental nylon gill nets measuring 125 ft. x 8 ft. in depth and made up in five, 25 ft, sectinns, were set at eight sta- tions. Mesh size for these nets increased progressively in each following section at one-half inch intervals beginning with 1" mesh and terminating with a 3" mesh sectinn. Three rotenone collections were made, one for each stream sub- division. Data pertaining to numerical and weight percentage was taken for each species recovered and the volume of water treated estimated. In all collections most of the fish taken were identified and counted in the field. However, some individuals whose identity was questionable were preserved in 10% forma- lin and a sample of each species was saved for a laboratory collection. FINDINGS For reasons discussed in the Completion Report for Job A-l, it is considered de- sirable to report distribution and abundance of species data under titles used to de- note the three ecological associations found in the watershed. 1. Spring fed, permanent flow, clear water association. (Description and dis- cussion in report for Job A-1. Shown on map stations 5, 10, 11 and 12) Seining Collection Results A. Spring areas (Stations 5 and 10) Estimations based on total counts for four seasnnal collections. --- Page 2 --- WA Fo tH Species Number Total % 1. Moxostoma congestum 1 3 2. Campostoma anomalum 36 10.9 3. Gambusia affinis 113 32.7 4, Pimephales vigilax 27 7.8 5. Etheostoma spectabile 31 8.9 6, Notropis buchanani 12 3.6 7. Notropis amabilis il 3.2 8. Notropis venustus 18 5.2 9. Lepomis cyanellus 41 Tae 10. Lepomis megalotis 21 6.1 11. Lepomis auritus ak 6.9 12. Lepomis macrochirus 2 «5 13. Lepomis microlophus 2 5 14. Pomoxis annularis 2 5 15. Chaenobryttus coronarius \. 1.2 Totals 347 100.1 B. Clear water, permanent flow areas below springs. (Stations 11 and 12) Estimate based upon four seasonal collections. Species Number Total % 1. Dorosoma cepedianum 5h 6.5 2. Moxostoma congestum 36 4.3 3. Carpiodes carpio 18 2.2 4, Campostoma anomalum 63 go 5. Pimephales vigilax 61 Te3 6. Notropis venustus 121 V4.5 7. Notropis lutrensis 183 22.0 8. WNotropis percobromus 4 25 9. Notropis amabilis 9 1.1 10. Micropterus salmoides 3 4 ll. Micropterus punctatus 4 ae le. Chaenobryttus coronarius G died: 13. Lepomis cyanellus 114 13:7 14, Lepomis megalotis 61 7-3 15. Lepomis macrochirus 6h. 7.6 16. Lepomis microlophus 13 1.6 17. Lepomis auritus 2 2 18. Pomoxis annularis 12 1.4 19. Ictalurus punctatus 2 +2 20. Pilodictus olivaris 1 ol Totals 834 100.2 Netting Results A. Wetting in spring fed, clear water, permanent pools created by Stil-- son and Christoval Dams (Stations 11 and 12). Estimate based on six netting collections. Species Number Total Weight % by Number 4% by Weight lbs. OZS. Dorosoma cepedianum 115 58 io hO.2 15.9 Carpiodes carpio 60 216 0.0 21.0 57.5 Moxostoma congestum 32 64. 0.0 Ie a he aes Aplodinotus grunniens 12 3 2.0 4.2 8 Lepisosteus osseus 18 12 1.6 6.3 3.3 --- Page 3 --- ry Ow ©O- OO os © © o ° e e ww OAT Ow Fu PP F Species Number Total Weight % by Number % by Weight lbs. OZS. Pilodictus olivaris 2 4 6.0 7 1.0 Micropterus salmoides 4 k 1.0 1.4 1.0 Ictalurus punctatus 6 9 8.0 2.1 1.0 Lepomis sp. 34 4 8,0 11.9 ae Pomoxis annularis 3 ho Ld; 20 Totals 286 376 8.0 100.0 100.5 Rotenone Collection A. Collection by rotenone made approximately two miles northeast of Station 8. Area treated approximately .25 acre ft. Species Number Total Weight % by Number % by Weight los. OZS. Dorosoma cepedianum 13 1 £4 8.3 5.5 Micropterus salmoides 20 ui 4 12.5 6.3 Ietalurus punctatus 5 i 5 3.2 6.7 Chaenobryttus coronarius 3 6) 2.0 2.3 Lepomis cyanellus 29 4 7 17.6 22.6 Lepomis macrochirus 26 3 2 16.0 15.8 Lepomis megalotis 14 4 1 9.0 20.5 Lepomis auritus 4 i. 2.6 3.4 Lepomis humilis 3 T Bal 2.4 Lepomis punctatus 3 6 3.1 1.9 Lepomis microlophus 14 1 4 9.1 6.3 Hybrid sunfishes 9 x 2 5.8 a Gambusia affinis 12 2 TT 6 Totals 155 19 13 100.0 100.5 Orangethroated darters (Etheostoma spectabile) were in spring areas only. Such spring communities were dominated by small plankton feeders and by sun- fishes. In other clear water associatinns, sunfishes averaged 32% of the — total for all type collections. Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and west- ern lonear {Lepomis megalotis) were more abundant and have the greatest area of distribution. However, yellowbelly sunfish (Lepomis auritus) and warmouth bass (Chaenobryttus coronarius) were often larger and are preferred by fish- ermen. Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) were the more abundant species in larg- er pools, especially where aquatic vegetation was heavy. These fish usually appear to be stunted. Common mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were the most abundant species taken and were in all localities where a swift stream flow was not prohibitive. These fish were especially numerous in shallow backwaters. Blacktail shiner (Notropis venustus) and red shiners (Notropis lutrensis) were concentrated in swifter water and in the deeper pools below riffles. Below springs, in clear water associations where there was appreciable current, giz- zard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) and gray redhorse suckers (Moxostoma congestum) inereased in numbers and may possibly be the dominant species in some communi- ties, Downstream as transition into murky water association occurs and in ir- rigation reservoirs, river carp suckers (Carpiodes carpio) become more abundant ovér Moxostoma. 11. Murky Sluggish Flow Association Seining Collections --- Page 4 --- 4. Near impoundments on Spring and Dove Creek and on the South Concho near Christ- oval Dam and Gardner Dam (Stations 7, 8, 9, 13, 14 and 15). Estimates based on four seasonal collections. Species Number % Total 1. Lepisosteus osseus 5 sf 2. Dorosoma cepedianum 31 4.3 3. Carpiodes carpio 27 Faw 6 4, Moxostoma congestum 2 3 5. Cyprinus carpio 2 Ps 6. Ictiobus bubalus 6 8 7. Aplodinotus grunniens y .6 8. Notemigonus chrysoleucas 13 1.8 9. Pimephales vigilax ee 3.0 10. Pereina caprodes 18 2.5 ll, Hybognathus placitus 14 1.9 12. Gambusia affinis 1h0 19.3 13. Notropis venustus 112 1363 14, WNotropis lutrensis ky 5.7 5. Ictalurus punctatus 5 aii 16. Ameiurus natalis 21 2.9 17. Ameiurus melas 3 Ab 18. Morone chrysops 11 1.5 19. Micropterus salmoides 11 1.5 20. Micropterus punctulatus 1 ok 21. Lepomis megalotis 67 9.3 22. Lepomis cyanellus 33 A5 23. Lepomis microlophus 27 3, 2k. Lepomis auritus 7 1.0 25. Pomoxis annularis 61 8,4 26. Lepomis macrochirus Ki 5.7 Totals 125 100.1 Netting Collections Impoundments on Spring and Dove Creek and South Concho River (Stations 7, 9, 13, 15). Estimate based on six seasonal collections. Species Number Total Weight % by Number 4% by Weight lbs. OZs. Doroxoma cepedianum 145 90 9 51.5 37.3 Carpiodes carpio ho 8h 0 14.2 34.7 Moxostoma congestum 18 31 8 6.4 12.8 Aplodinotus grunniens. 10 4 2 3.6 1.6 Lepisosteus osseus 4 10 2 14 hie Pilodictus olivaris 3 9 2 gk: 3.7 Ietalurus punctatus 4 4 8 1.4 1.7 Pomoxis annularis 6 1 1 2,1 4 Micropterus salmoides 1 1 4 4 4 Morone chrysops 13 3 9 4.6 14% Sunfishes 37 y 2 13.2 Lf Totals 281 ake 15 99.9 99.8 Rotenone Collections Pool treated located approximately one mile from Station 15. Area treated about 1.5 acre ft. --- Page 5 --- Species Number Total Weight % by Number % by Weight Lbs. Oz. Dorosoma cepedianum 123 LO 3 15.4 30.2 Carpiodes carpio 21 36 9) 2.6 27.5 Moxostoma congestum 11 1h 2 1.4 10.5 Aplodinotus grunniens 4 1 0 5 Pa Cyprinus carpio 12 4 9 1.5 a. 3 Ietalurus punctatus 14 6 2 1.5 5 Pilodictus olivaris k 7 3 «5 5.3 Micropterus salmoides 8 4 f°) 9 3.5 Pomoxis annularis 9 3 2 1.4 2.2 Sunfishes 102 14 1 12.6 10.4 Small forage fishes* 500 3 11 61.6 2.2 Totals 818 133 1 100.0 100.4 * ~ Estimated number for genus Notropis, Hybognathus, Gambusia and Pimephales. The greatest number of species found in any association in the watershed occur in murky sluggish flow assodations. Most of these pools are created by reservoir impound- ments and Blacktail shiners (Notropis venustus) and Red shiners (N. lutrensis) were usually found in the upper portions of such pools and were numerous below the water outlet. Netting results, rotenone collections and stomach analyses of game fish indi- eate that gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) as the most important forage species. Sun- fishes, especially green sunfish and western longears, are common and bullheads (Ameiu- rus and A. melas), log perch (Percina cap rodes) and flathead catfish (Pilodictus oli- varis) were taken only in this habitat. III. Silty Intermittant Pool Association. Description and discussion in report for Job A-1l. (Appended map stations 1,2 & 3 Seining Collections Turbid, intermittent pools at Stations 2 and 3. EHatimate based on four seasonal collections. Species Number % Total Dorosoma cepedianum Tels 11.5 Carpiodes carpio 61 16.0 Cyprinus carpio 37 9.7 Aplodinotus grunniens 7 1.8 Gambusia affinis 111 29.8 Notropis venustus 25 6.6 Notropis ‘lutrensis 32 8.4 Notemigonus erysoleucas 6 1.6 Lepomis cyanellus 31 8,1 Lepomis megalotis 14 3.7 Morone chrysops 4 1.0 Lepomis macrochirus ve 1.8 Ictalurus punctulatus i. «3 Micropterus salmoides 2 Pe} Totals 382 100.1 Rotenone Collections Pool location approximately 3/4 miles southwest of Station 3. Area treated approximately one acre ft. --- Page 6 --- Species Number Total Weight %&% by % by Lbs. Ozs. No. Wt. Dorosoma cepedianum 37 11 ) 14.50 4.6 Carpiodes carpio 76 9h 9 28.80 37.0 Cyprinus carpio 22 78 8 8.64 31.7 Ietiobus bubalus 4 12 0 38 4.8 Aplodinotus grunniens 77 27 ) 30.00 10.8 Moxostoma congestum nt 7 4 1.57 2.8 Ictalurus punctatus 2 3 4 «78 I.T Sunfishes 33 4 2 12.72 2.8 Totals 255 akg 12 100.16 99.9 Gill nets were not set in this type association because suitable netting sites were not available. Although largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), white bass (Morone chrysops), blacktail shiners (Notropis venustus) and red shiners (Notropis lutrensis) were taken in this habitat, their presence is attributed to entrapment, recession of the flowing stream to an intermittent pool condition. Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) appear capable of adapting to this environment. Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) and bluegill (L. macrochirus) are not uncommon. However, a complete dominance of this association by river carp suckers (Carpiodes carpio), longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) is overwhelming. SUMMARY 1. Field work for this job was done in conjunction with Job A-l. (Basic Survey of the South and Middle Concho Rivers.) 2. Forty-seven seining collections were made at fifteen stations, sixteen gill net collectims were taken and three pools were treated with rotenone. 3. A total of 39 species from ten families were taken by all methods of collect- ion for the entire watershed. 4, Three ecological associations were found to exist and seining, netting and rot- enone collection data was analyzed on that basis. 5. Spring bed, permanent flow, clear water associations were dominated by sunfishes, especially green sunfish and western longear sunfish and by small plankton feeders. 6. The greatest number of species found were in murky sluggish flow associations and most communities were dominated by river carp suckers. However, game species were more numerous than in intermittent pool associations and were probably larger in aver- age size. 7. Silty intermittent pool associations were characterized by an overwhelming dom- inance of all species by river carp suckers and carp. Few game fish were taken in col- lections and conditions often Indicated that survival of all game fishes, excepting sun- fishes, was unlikely. --- Page 7 --- SO O-J OW Fw 10. Checklist of Fish Species from South and Middle Concho Rivers, July 22, 1953 - June 12, 1954 Common Name Longnose gar Gizzard shad Smallmouth buffalo Black buffalo River carpsucker Gray redhorse sucker German carp Golden shiner Piains shiner Blacktail shiner Red shiner Texas shiner Mimic shiner River shiner Ghost shiner Plains minnow Parrot minnow Flathead minnow Southern channel catfish Black bullhead Yellow bullhead Flathead catfish Common mosquitofish White bass Spotted black bass Largemouth black bass Warmouth bass Green sunfish Spotted sunfish Redear sunfish Bluegill Orangespotted sunfish Yellowbelly sunfish Western longear sunfish White crappie Logperch Orangethroat darter Freshwater drum Hybrids Lepomis macrochirus x L. punetatus Lepomis humilis x L. cyanellus Scientific Name Lepisosteus osseus Dorosoma cepedianum Ictiobus bubalus Iectiobus niger Carpiodes carpio Moxostoma congestum Cyprinus carpio Notemigonus crysoleucas Notropis percobromus Notropis venustus Notropis lutrensis Notropis amabilis Notropis volucellus Notropis blennius Notropis buchanani Hybognathus placitus Pimephales vigilax Pimephales promelas Ictalurus punctatus Ameiurus melas Ameiurus natalis Pilodictus olivaris Gambusia affinis Morone chrysops Micropterus punctulatus Micropterus salmoides Chaenobryttus coronarius Lepomis cyanellus Lepomis punctatus Lepomis microlophus Lepomis macrochirus Lepomis humilis Lepomis auritus Lepomis megalotis Pomoxis annularis Percina caprodes Etheostoma spectabile Aplodinotus grunniens --- Page 8 --- aiid WO \ ZZ 71V@ -77NH a) wt 4334u> SNluds ib wo fe POAOL S/ FD @ "hr lial ¢ S RS . ry U a > Loa =) ty ry a = wd SNNIN * fas > MW WLS a * .s] So £) 2 “WLE % z 5 _ py wag | dy BS weg 9 ft . 2'eicg ee wv wPLSOS y wis / ~ wee YFAla | OHINOD JIAOTIW wd STWILF Wf ; é ‘wl AWHLBOMSUN ~T Peas yw Jy, VIS WzIB