Fish in Focus:  Central stoneroller, Campostoma anomalum

Central stoneroller, Campostoma anomalum
© Garold W. Sneegas and Aquatic Kansas Images

Males of several native North American fish species develop tubercles during their breeding periods. This image of a male Central stoneroller is an example of such tubercle growth. The photograph was taken at night in late March, in a stream in Wabaunsee county, Kansas. The water temperature was 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Four weeks later stonerollers were observed spawning in the same stream. The water temperature during spawning was 64 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Central stoneroller is widely distributed through central and eastern streams of the United States and is often very abundant locally. It inhabits the rocky bottoms of riffles and pools in small streams to medium size rivers.