Oregon Chub Oregonichthys carmeri
Conservation Status: Not listed under the Endangered Species Act
> Oregon Chub are the only endemic fish genus to Oregon.
> Oregon Chub were the first fish to be taken off of the U.S. Endangered Species List because of population recovery since the Act was first created over 40 years ago (removed on February 17, 2015).
> Historical records indicate that Oregon Chub were broadly distributed throughout the Willamette River, but dams and other flood control infrastructures have decreased the creation of ideal slow-moving habitats for Oregon Chub from flooding.
> Juvenile Oregon Chub are known to school with other cyprinids such as Northern Pikeminnow and Redside Shiners.
Identification tips
> Oregon Chub are a very small minnow with a dark green to olive colored back which becomes silver on the sides and a white underside.
> Their scales are relatively large, with less than 40 on their lateral line. The scales towards the caudal fin are outlined with a darker pigment.
> The pelvic fin is far back on the underside of the belly and closer to the anal fin than to the pectoral fins.
> Oregon Chub have a wide abrupt body that narrows into a slim caudal peduncle.
Natural history
> Oregon Chub spawn from the end of April to September as long as the water temperature is ideal between 62⁰ to 82⁰F (16.7⁰ to 27.7⁰C).
> Only males over 1 inch (2.54 cm) will spawn. Males over 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) will defend territories. Females can lay a few hundred eggs.
Spawning typically occurs near or on aquatic vegetation.
Range
> The Oregon Chub, as the name suggests, is endemic to Oregon only.
> More specifically its range encompasses the Willamette River basin, including throughout the entire Willamette River and all of its tributaries including, but not limited to, the Calapooia, Santiam, Luckiamute, Mary’s, and Mckenzie Rivers.
Size
> Oregon Chub are a small minnow species that grow to about 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) in length.
Habitat
> Oregon Chub live in low velocity non-mainstem habitats of the Willamette River and its tributaries.
> They are found in beaver ponds, backwater sloughs, low gradient tributaries, flooded marshes, oxbows, and side channels.
Diet
> The Oregon Chub is mostly invertivorous, mostly consuming the larvae of small crustaceans and small insects by visually locating their prey.
Conservation AND Management
Oregon Chub was the first fish to be taken off of the United States Endangered Species Act on February 17, 2015, because of population recovery. They are listed as a sensitive species by the state of Oregon.
Data gaps
> The effects of non-native fish on Oregon Chub are unknown.
> Continued research could focus on understanding the effects flow management has on their populations.
Similar Species
References
For more information, see references.