Northern Squawfish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis)

The Northern Squawfish or Ptychocheilus oregonensis is the largest member of the Cyprinidae family of freshwater fish.  This minnow is also known as the Columbia River Dace, Northern Pikeminnow and Columbia Squawfish and is found in North America in river, lakes, ponds and even some salt water drainage areas.  Growing to about 25" in length, they can live to about 10 years old and are considered to be a nuisance in some areas.   

Northern Squawfish can be identified by their rather large mouths which extend past the the edge of their eyes.  They have a slender dark green body with clear fins.  This species of Squawfish has 9-10 rays in the dorsal fin with 8 rays in the anal fin and a forked caudal fin.
When spawning the male Northern Squawfish will turn a yellow orange coloration with tubercles on its head and back.  They feed on insects, crustaceans, small fish, eggs and plankton.  If you have any additional information about the Northern Squawfish please leave us a comment.

Diagonal-banded Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus lineatus)

The Diagonal-banded Sweetlips or Plectorhinchus lineatus is a beautiful saltwater fish found in the Asian Pacific in and around reefs.  These Grunts get their name from their bright yellow, rubbery lips.  Also known as Oblique-banded Sweetlips, Goldman´s Sweetlips, Oriental Dogfish, Yellow-banded Sweetlips and Lined Sweetlips. You can check them out on The Great Barrier Reef in the video below.

Many times these nocturnal fish are found in small schools feeding on small fish and crustaceans.  These fish are sometime kept in an aquarium, but are not considered to be the easiest to take care of.  If you have any additional information about the Diagonal-banded Sweetlips please leave us a comment.

 

Ninespine Stickleback (Pungitius pungitius)

The Ninespine Stickleback or Pungitius pungitius is a small freshwater fish from the Gasterosteidae family that can grow to about 3" in length.  Despite its name, the Ninespine Stickleback can have anywhere from 8 to 12 spines along its back. While they are normally brown in color, the male of this species will become black during the courtship and spawning periods which occur from April to July.  The male will guard and build the nest until the fry are hatched.  You can check out a similar species the Three-spined Stickleback building a nest in the video below.     

This species of Stickleback is found in North America, China, Japan and Northern Europe in fresh and brackish waters.  Rivers and lakes with heavy weeds are a favorite habitat for these fish.  Ninespine Stickleback fish will feed on invertebrates, aquatic insects and larvae.  They fall prey to larger fish and some predatory birds.


If you have any additional information about the Ninespine Stickleback please leave us a comment below.  

American Flagfish (Jordanella floridae)

The American Flagfish or Jordanella floridae gets its name because the male fish resembles the American flag. It has large blackish-blue dots and alternating red and blue stripes on its body. The female of this species is larger then its male counterpart, and has more of a yellow coloration. You can check out a a male and female Flagfish courting in the video below.

Sometimes simply known as the Flagfish, this species of Killifish is native to Flordia, but often kept in an aquarium setting. They are a small freshwater fish that only grows to about 2-1/2" long, so an aquarium of only 10 gallons is needed to house them. Flagfish are known for their ability to control algae in an aquarium which makes them all the more popular. They will also eat brine shrimp, tubifex and flake foods and are considered to be easy to care for.

If you have any additional information about the American Flagfish please leave us a comment below.