cape fear cape fear north american species freshwater fish family endemic central state north_carolina southeastern united_states found shallow streams basin fish small yellow black lips black stripe runs middle fish normally found mixed schools species unique genus elongated specifically adapted primarily diet breed twice year normally lives years wild males females normally similar appearance different colors spawning season species discovered critically endangered small population size threats habitat dam construction pollution recognized threatened species undergone successful captive breeding program status significant factor destruction dam destroyed habitat species limited populations wild experts believe single toxic chemical spill entire wild population taxonomy cape fear discovered described distinct species specific epithet derived greek longest tallest long length fish belongs family family belongs genus includes large number eastern north american cape fear unusual genus elongated convoluted species trait shared feature better diet primarily plant material different similar members genus angle size mouth head shape anal fin rays black edge lower lip black closest relatives sand subspecies description cape fear small centimeters long maximum length centimeters yellowish shade black stripe running middle fish caudal lighter stripe scales outlined black fins clear yellow moderately pointed dorsal fin origin slightly pelvic fin origin spawning season males golden color females cape fear snout acute rounded black upper lip lower lip thin black bar stretching margin upper lip lower lip teeth teeth located fish throat gill arches similar teeth cape fear eyes moderately sized fish head anal fin rays distinctive long dark visible fish belly wall distinctive black distribution habitat cape fear endemic north_carolina wild populations fish known exist populations found freshwater deep rocky rivers chatham lee moore counties largest populations found deep rocky rivers meet winter migrate main river channels smaller tributary streams smallest range typically lives clean streams gravel boulder especially nearby water available provide protection predators rarely ventures water deeper meters observed slow runs slow pools ecology behavior cape fear found swimming mixed schools species numerous mixed school known survive years captivity believed survive years wild cape fear adapted help fish digest plants initially suggested primarily adaptation recent studies shown eats variety plant animal matter known eat bacteria algae threatened numerous predators bass introduced adult pose significant threat differences habitats species river juvenile share habitat pose larger threat water temperature reaches second spawning occur late summer male female change color spawning male develops number small upper body generally moves slower flowing pools lay eggs rocky eggs hatch days young generally live egg yolk days juvenile found slow moving water particularly large rocks middle stream flooded channels pools juveniles sexually mature year conservation cape fear known different populations extremely small run high risk extinction populations stable estimated number individual fish viable cape fear recognized endangered critical habitat september endangered species act range population fish protected captured traded believed historically large populations endangered dam construction led flooding destruction shallow water habitat small number geographically separated populations threaten species genetic health study concluded genetic diversity relatively high deterioration water quality pollution sites threatened experiments shown highly sensitive chemicals experts believe wild population species wiped single toxic chemical spill united_states working protect species conservation methods protect species include studying biology wild help maintain captive population successful captive breeding species bred easily captivity experiment carried captive bred released temporarily wild judge water quality potential sites fall work crews began removing destroyed habitat work removed dam finished february lake fell historic creek levels allowing cape fear expand range miles river previously unsuitable dam habitat surveyed identify areas protection restoration
Cape Fear shiner