Fish Research

Rearing Non-Game, Native Fishes
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The Ohio State University

Fish Research
at
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research Center
 
 
 
 
  Male greenside darters, Image courtesy Kristi Harraman, The Ohio State University
 
        Fish Host Propagation Project:         
The goal of the Fish Host Propagation Project is to breed and raise fish for use with the Mussel Propagation Project. One of the main hurdles to conserving mussels is identifying and conserving their fish hosts as well. The Fish Host Propagation Project strives to help fulfill this need.  Our goal is to breed and raise fish for use as hosts so that we do not deplete natural fish populations in our mussel propagation efforts. Since 2006 we have bred and raised more than 650 Rainbow Darters. The protocols established by breeding Rainbow Darters will be used in the future when breeding more imperiled species of fish for population reestablishments or enhancements. Future target species will include Brindled Madtoms, Sand Darters and Longhead Darters.
 
                   For more details about how fish are utilized in mussel reproduction,
                                                                please see   bottom left.
 
 Fish species being held at the facility currently include rainbow, greenside, banded, and fantail darters and logperch, all fairly common species of darters in Ohio waterways. Also housed at the facility are sand and longhead darters, more imperiled darter species. Current plans for expansion include propagation of brindled madtoms.
 
Photo property of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

 


 

Funding provided by: 

 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife

 

 

 

The Columbus Foundation 

 


The Role of Fish in Mussel Propogation:
 
Mussels require a fish host in order to reproduce. For more information on this process, please see this website:
  
 
 
 
 
 
  Lampsilis ovata, one of the mussel species housed at the facility.
Photo by Tom Watters, OSU
 
 
 
 
 
Freshwater Mussel Facility
Fish Research
614-724-3611
Powell, OH
 
Male Greenside Darter, Photo by Kristi Harraman, OSU