Shorthead redhorse

It is also important to anglers because of its role in the ecosystem; it is prey for larger game fish such as northern pike and muskellunge.

[8] During a study done in Illinois by Sule et al., they found that "shorthead redhorse consumed items from approximately 60 food categories, primarily invertebrate taxa".

The construction of dams blocked free flowing rivers like the Mississippi in which they live, disrupting their spawning migration routes.

"The upstream migratory range of shorthead redhorse in a Maryland river decreased due to an increase in chlorinated sewage outfalls".

Because such a large portion of the shorthead redhorse's diet is sediment,[9] it ingests high concentrations of the chemicals and can die.

[citation needed] The shorthead redhorse spawning season ranges from March to June, depending on location.

[3] Shorthead redhorse spawn in shallows at the edges of sand bars or in riffles over gravel substrate.

More northern locations with cooler water tend to have shorthead redhorse that can live to be approximately 20 years of age.

The dams affect the shorthead redhorse just as they do other fish by blocking migration pathways to spawning areas.

[10] In some states like Minnesota, shorthead redhorse disposal from 21st century tournament bowfishing exceeds that of commercial harvest by at least 200 times.

[10] The shorthead redhorse is said to be one of the better tasting fish, however there are many little bones throughout the meat making it superficially unappealing to many American consumers.

[8] Shorthead redhorse play a key role in their ecosystems as prey for larger game fish.

Bioaccumulation of chemicals is common in fish that feed near the benthic zone, like the shorthead redhorse.

[16] The current IGFA all tackle world record for the species stands at 5 pounds 6 ounces (2.4 kg), caught from the Prairie River in Minnesota, USA on May 4, 1988 by angler Greg Clusiau.

Wanton waste of native fish by the ton - in the 21st century. Four species of redhorse composed the majority (55%) of the take from a single-night bowfishing tournament in Minnesota, where native fish composed > 80% of the total number of fish shot and disposed. More than 1000 redhorse were dumped for disposal in this individual tournament, including piles of shorthead redhorse. [ 10 ] For details see 2023 study. [ 10 ]