Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums/Association des zoos et aquariums du Canada American Zoo and Aquarium Association City of Toronto


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CONSERVATION IN OUR BACKYARD

DACE FACTS

Scientific name: Clinostomus elongatus
Common name: redside dace
  • This small minnow gets its name from its brilliant red sides during spawning.
  • Leaps out of the water to capture its insect prey
  • It is prey to larger fish
  • Indicator of water quality
REPRODUCTION
  • Can live up to 4 years, and spawns at 2-3 years of age, in May
  • Needs flowing waters and pebbly bottom to spawn
  • "Nest association": uses nests of other fish, such as creek chub, to lay eggs
  • One female has 400-2000 eggs
HABITAT
  • Prefers clean, clear, cool (16-24 °C) water
  • Slow moving, shallow in-stream pools
  • Uses in-stream rocks and fallen woody-debris as shelter
  • Stream bank vegetation attracts insects & provides shade
DISTRIBUTION
  • Rivers and streams of the lower Great Lakes & Mississippi Watershed
  • In Canada, found in small isolated populations in southern Ontario
THREATS THE DACE FACE

The greatest threat to the redside dace is the degradation of stream habitats.

PROBLEMS
  1. IMPACT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT
    • Human settlement, industry, agricultural and commercial land-use
    • Creation of infrastructures, e.g., sewers, roads, dams, power lines etc.
    • Water, land & air pollution
    • Quarry and water extractions

  2. AGRICULTURE
    • Manure, pesticide and herbicide runoff
    • Livestock entering streams and grazing on banks

  3. OTHER
    • Introduced aquatic species increase the predator and competitor population
    • Removal of natural vegetation
TAKING ACTION

RECOVERY TEAM
  • Biologists are preparing a Recovery Plan for the redside dace.
STRATEGIES FOR RECOVERY:
  • Protect existing populations and habitats
  • Rehabilitate habitats
  • Research and monitoring
  • Community awareness and outreach
HOW YOU CAN HELP-BECOME A STEWARD!
  • Volunteer with the Zoo to protect local streams
  • Conserve water
  • Control road and driveway runoff
  • Use environmentally friendly (household) products
  • Keep grazing livestock away from the streams edge
  • Keep a buffer strip of vegetation along the water's edge and leave naturally fallen trees in stream
  • Restrict habitat alterations
Visit the Redside Dace website at www.redsidedace.com