Bigeye Chub
(Hybopsis amblops)
The bigeye chub is highly intolerant of turbid (murky) waters and silt covered bottoms. As a result of these habitat preferences they are an indicator of good water quality.
Description
As the name bigeye chub implies this species has a rather large eye. They also have a dark stripe across the snout and along the sides to the base of the tail. This stripe is most visible in individuals caught in clear waters and is faint or absent when caught in turbid (murky) waters. The rest of the body is silvery in color and all the fins are transparent with no spots or other markings. Like other chubs they have a single small barbel positioned in each of the rear corners of the sub-terminal (ending below tip of snout) mouth.
Habitat and Habits
Bigeye chubs were once common throughout Ohio but today are almost entirely absent from the Northwest part of the state and have disappeared from many other river systems as well. They require small to medium sized streams and rivers with clear waters and an abundance of silt free sandy bottomed pools. Since this species is highly intolerant of turbid (murky) waters and silt they are an indicator of good water quality. They are still common in some streams such as the Kokosing River, Big Darby Creek, and Wakatomika Creek.
Reproduction and Care of the Young
Bigeye chubs spawn in late spring and early summer but little is known about how or where spawning takes place.