List of fishes of West Virginia

The state of West Virginia has a wide variety of freshwater fish species in its rivers, lakes, and streams. 20% of these species are sportfish, and the remaining 80% are nongame species. Two species, the candy darter and the diamond darter, are only found in West Virginia.

The IUCN classifies four species as "Near Threatened" (Blue Sucker,^[1] Spotted Darter,^[2] Candy Darter,^[3] and Longhead Darter^[4]) and four species as "Vulnerable" (Shovelnose Sturgeon,^[5] Paddlefish,^[6] Kanawha Minnow,^[7] and Eastern Sand Darter^[8]).

The following letters next to each species' name represents the river system(s) that contains that species:

O	Ohio River Basin	Includes the Ohio, Monongahela, Little Kanawha, Kanawha, Guyandotte, and Big Sandy Rivers.
N	New River Basin	Includes the New, Gauley, and Greenbrier Rivers.
P	Potomac River Basin	Includes the Potomac River.
J	James River Basin	Includes the James River.

An asterisk (*) beside a species' name indicates that the species is rare in West Virginia.

Two asterisks (**) beside a species' name indicates that the species is extirpated.^[9]

Three asterisks (***) beside a species' name indicates that the species is introduced, and is not native to West Virginia.

Order Petromyzontiformes (Lampreys)

Family Petromyzontidae

• Ohio Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon bdellium)* O
• Northern Brook Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor)* O
• Mountain Brook Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon greeleyi)* O
• Silver Lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis)* O
• Least Brook Lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera) O,N
• American Brook Lamprey (Lampetra appendix) O

Order Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and Paddlefish)

Family Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)

• Lake Sturgeon** (Acipenser fulvescens) O

• Shovelnose Sturgeon** (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) O

Family Polyodontidae (Paddlefishes)

• Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) O

Order Lepisosteiformes (Gars)

Family Lepisosteidae

• Longnose Gar (Lepisosteus osseus) O

Order Amiiformes (Bowfins)

Family Amiidae

• Bowfin (Amia calva) O

Order Hiodontiformes (Mooneyes)

Family Hiodontidae

• Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides)* O

• Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) O

Order Anguilliformes (Eels)

Family Anguillidae (Freshwater Eels)

• American Eel (Anguilla rostrata) O,N,P

Order Clupeiformes (Herrings)

Family Clupeidae

• Skipjack Herring (Alosa chrysochloris) O
• Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) O,N
• Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) O
• Threadfin Shad (Dorosoma petenense) O

Order Cypriniformes (Minnows, Carps, and Suckers)

Family Cyprinidae (Minnows and Carps)

• Central Stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) O
• Goldfish*** (Carassius auratus) O,N,P
• Redside Dace* (Clinostomus elongatus) O
• Rosyside Dace (Clinostomus funduloides) O,N,J,P
• Satinfin Shiner* (Cyprinella analostana) P
• Whitetail Shiner (Cyprinella galactura) O,N
• Spotfin Shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) O,N,P
• Steelcolor Shiner (Cyprinella whipplei) O
• Common Carp*** (Cyprinus carpio) O,N,P
• Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) O,N,P
• Bighead Carp (Hypopthalmichthys nobilis) O
• Streamline Chub (Erimystax dissimilis) O,N
• Tonguetied Minnow* (Exoglossum laurae) O,N
• Cutlips Minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua) N,J,P
• Eastern Silvery Minnow* (Hybognathus regius) P
• Mississippi Silvery Minnow** (Hybognathus nuchalis) O
• White Shiner (Luxilus albeolus) O,N
• Striped Shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus) O,N
• Common Shiner (Luxilus cornutus)
• Blueside Shiner* (Lythrurus ardens) O,N,J
• Rosefin Shiner (Lythrurus fasciolaris) O
• Redfin Shiner (Lythrurus umbratilis) O
• Speckled Chub (Macrhybopsis aestivalis) O
• Silver Chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana) O
• Pearl Dace* (Margariscus margarita) O,P
• Bluehead Chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) N,J
• River Chub (Nocomis micropogon) O,J,P
• Bigmouth Chub (Nocomis platyrhynchus) N
• Golden Shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) O,N,J,P
• Bigeye Chub (Notropis amblops) O
• Comely Shiner (Notropis amoenus) P
• Popeye Shiner* (Notropis ariommus) O
• Emerald Shiner (Notropis atherinoides) O,N,P
• River Shiner (Notropis blennius) O
• Ghost Shiner (Notropis buchanani) O
• Silverjaw Minnow (Notropis buccatus) O,N,P
• Bigmouth Shiner** (Notropis dorsalis) O
• Spottail Shiner (Notropis hudsonius) O,N,P
• Sand Shiner (Notropis stramineus) O,N
• Silver Shiner (Notropis photogenis) O,N
• Swallowtail Shiner (Notropis procne) P
• Rosyface Shiner (Notropis rubellus) O,N,J,P
• New River Shiner* (Notropis scabriceps) N
• Telescope Shiner (Notropis telescopus) O,N,J
• Mimic Shiner (Notropis volucellus) O,N
• Channel Shiner (Notropis wickliffi) O
• Pugnose Minnow** (Opsopoeodus emiliae) O
• Suckermouth Minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) O
• Kanawha Minnow* (Phenacobius teretulus) N
• Southern Redbelly Dace (Phoxinus erythrogaster) O
• Mountain Redbelly Dace (Phoxinus oreas) N,J
• Bluntnose Minnow (Pimephales notatus) O,N,P
• Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) O,N,P
• Bullhead Minnow* (Pimephales vigilax) O
• Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) O,N,J,P
• Cheat Minnow* (Pararhinichthys bowersi) O
• Longnose Dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) O,N,J,P
• Rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) N
• Creek Chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) O,N,J,P
• Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) P

Family Catostomidae (Suckers)

• River Carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) O
• Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) O
• Highfin Carpsucker* (Carpiopes velifer) O
• Longnose Sucker** (Catostomus catostomus) O
• White Sucker(Catostomus commersonii) O,N,J,P
• Blue Sucker* (Cycleptus elongatus) O
• Creek Chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) P
• Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) O,N,J,P
• Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) O
• Bigmouth Buffalo* (Ictiobus cyprinellus) O
• Black Buffalo* (Ictiobus niger) O
• Spotted Sucker (Minytrema melanops) O
• Silver Redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) O
• River Redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) O
• Black Redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei) O
• Golden Redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) O,N,P
• Shorthead Redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) O,P
• Torrent Sucker (Thoburnia rhothoeca) O,N,P

Order Siluriformes (Catfishes)

Family Ictaluridae (Freshwater Catfishes)

• White Catfish (Ictalurus catus) O
• Blue Catfish** (Ictalurus furcatus) O, P
• Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) O,N,P
• Black Bullhead (Ameiurus melas) O,N
• Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) O,N,P
• Brown Bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) O,N,P
• Mountain Madtom* (Noturus eleutherus) O
• Stonecat (Noturus flavus) O,N
• Margined Madtom (Noturus insignis) O,J,P
• Brindled Madtom (Noturus miurus) O
• Northern Madtom* (Noturus stigmosus) O
• Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) O,N

Order Esociformes (Pikes and Mudminnows)

Family Esocidae (Pikes)

• Redfin Pickerel (Esox americanus) O,P
• Northern Pike (Esox lucius) O,P
• Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) O,N,P
• Chain Pickerel (Esox niger) P,N

Family Umbridae (Mudminnows)

• Central Mudminnow (Umbra limi) O

Order Salmoniformes (Trout)

Family Salmonidae

• Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki)*** P
• Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)*** O,N,J,P
• Brown trout (Salmo trutta)*** O,N,J,P
• Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) O,N,J,P

Order Percopsiformes (Trout-Perches)

Family Percopsidae

• Trout-Perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) O

Order Cyprinodontiformes (Killifishes and Livebearers)

Family Fundulidae (Killifishes)

• Northern Studfish (Fundulus catenatus) O
• Banded Killifish* (Fundulus diaphanus) O,P
• Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) P

Family Poeciliidae (Livebearers)

• Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) O,N

Order Atheriniformes (Silversides)

Family Atherinidae

• Brook Silverside (Labidesthes sicculus) O,N,P

Order Gasterosteiformes (Sticklebacks)

Family Gasterosteidae

• Brook Stickleback (Culaea inconstans) O

Order Scorpaeniformes (Scorpionfishes and Relatives)

Family Cottidae (Sculpins)

• Mottled Sculpin (Cottus bairdii) O,N,J,P
• Banded Sculpin* (Cottus carolinae) N
• Slimy Sculpin* (Cottus cognatus) P
• Potomac Sculpin (Cottus girardi) P

Order Perciformes (Sunfishes and Perches)

Family Moronidae (Temperate Basses)

• White Perch (Morone americana) O
• White Bass (Morone chrysops) O,N
• Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) O,N

Family Centrarchidae (Sunfishes)

• Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) O,N,J,P
• Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) O,N,J,P
• Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) O,N,J,P
• Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) O,N,J,P
• Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) O
• Orangespotted Sunfish (Lepomis humilis) O
• Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) O,N,J,P
• Longear Sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) O,N,P
• Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) O
• Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu) O,N,J,P
• Spotted Bass (Micropterus punctulatus) O,N
• Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) O,N,J,P
• White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis) O,N,P
• Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) O,N,P

Family Percidae (Perches)

• Eastern Sand Darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) O
• Western Sand Darter* (Ammocrypta clara) O
• Diamond Darter* (Crystallaria cincotta) O
• Greenside Darter (Etheostoma blennioides) O,N,P
• Rainbow Darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) O,N,P
• Bluebreast Darter (Etheostoma camurum) O
• Fantail Darter (Etheostoma flabellare) O,N,J,P
• Longfin Darter* (Etheostoma longimanum) J
• Spotted Darter* (Etheostoma maculatum) O
• Johnny Darter (Etheostoma nigrum) O,N,J
• Tessellated Darter (Etheostoma olmstedi) P
• Candy Darter* (Etheostoma osburni) N
• Snubnose Darter (Etheostoma simoterum) N
• Tippecanoe Darter (Etheostoma tippecanoe) N
• Variegated Darter (Etheostoma variatum) O,N
• Banded Darter (Etheostoma zonale) O
• Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) O,N,P
• Logperch (Percina caprodes) O,N
• Channel Darter (Percina copelandi) O
• Gilt Darter* (Percina evides) O
• Appalachia Darter* (Percina gymnocephala) N
• Longhead Darter* (Percina macrocephala) O
• Blackside Darter (Percina maculata) O,N
• Stripeback Darter* (Percina notogramma) J
• Sharpnose Darter (Percina oxyrhynchus) O,N
• Shield Darter (Percina peltata) P
• Slenderhead Darter (Percina phoxocephala) O
• Roanoke Darter (Percina roanoka) N
• Dusky Darter (Percina sciera) O
• River Darter* (Percina shumardi) O
• Sauger (Sander canadensis) O
• Walleye (Sander vitreus) O,N,P

Family Sciaenidae (Drums)

• Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) O

References

1. Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Cycleptus elongatus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
2. Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Etheostoma maculatum. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
3. Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Etheostoma osburni. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
4. Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Percina macrocephala. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
5. Surprenant, C. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) 2004. Scaphirhynchus platorynchus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
6. Grady, J. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service) 2004. Polyodon spathula. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
7. Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Phenacobius teretulus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
8. Gimenez Dixon, M. 1996. Ammocrypta pellucidum. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 April 2013.
9. http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/PDFFiles/fishbrochure.pdf