Looking for a good picture of a Sacramento Blackfish

[Johnny C]

I know there are some better researchers than me on this site..Can't find a picture..I have seen them in person many times in our lakes.

Life History
The Sacramento blackfish is a native inland California freshwater species abundant in the Sacramento-San Joaquin river systems, Clear Lake, Pajaro River, and Salinas River (Murphy 1950; Moyle 1976). In this study, Sacramento blackfish were found to be abundant in small and large impoundments and were also scattered throughout the fresh waters and some of the oligohaline waters of the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary. Specimens were also taken by gill net and otter trawl in Honker Bay, Grizzly Bay, and near Martinez (Ganssle 1966). The species was captured by midwater trawl in Carquinez Strait (Messersmith 1966). Spawning of the Sacramento blackfish takes place from April through July, when small groups congregate over emergent vegetation or rocks in water usually less than one meter deep (Murphy 1950; Cook et al. 1966). In this study, spawning was found in some very small ponds, such as Concord Golf Course pond, as well as in very large bodies of water, such as San Luis Reservoir, from April through June. The male fish bears breeding tubercles during the spawning period (Moyle 1976), and the male is apparently darker than the female (Murphy 1950). The Sacramento blackfish, like other cyprinids, deposits adhesive eggs on the vegetation near or at the bottom of shallow coves (Steve Benin, Sacramento blackfish commercial fisherman, San Luis Reservoir, personal communication, 1982). Most larvae were collected in shallow water and were associated with vegetation. They can be locally abundant, particularly when there are limited numbers of other fish species in the same pond. Larvae were also found in the open water of the Delta and Suisun Bay, all apparently planktonic. Juveniles school in large numbers in shallows during the warm months. They are seldom observed in the same area when the water temperature drops in winter. It is possible that they might move to deeper, open water. Juvenile blackfish feed primarily on phytoplankton, green algae, diatoms, midges, cladocerans, and other bottom-suspended detritus (Murphy 1950; Cook et al. 1964, 1966; Moyle 1976). An elongate and coiled intestine indicates that Sacramento blackfish is an herbivorous fish. Sacramento blackfish reach maturity by the second or third year; they are prolific but have relatively short lives because of spawning stress (Murphy 1950). This species is commercially valuable to Chinatown and other Asian fish markets in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other cities on the West Coast. Fish are sold alive at the market to ensure freshness. The major supply of Sacramento blackfish is now from San Luis Reservoir and not from Clear Lake, because of parasite infestation. Moyle (1976)has stated that Sacramento blackfish still predominate in the Sacramento-San Joaquin river system because of their herbivorous feeding habit, which means they face less feeding competition than carnivorous fish. The Sacramento blackfish can inhabit a small, confined environment and repro- duce there (this study); it also can tolerate wide ranges of water quality without apparent stress (C. Carothers, personal communication, 1982). They are known to be phytoplankton feeders and their flesh is tasty, and they grow rapidly in warm water. The Sacramento blackfish has the potential to be developed into a species that can be pond-reared

[Brian]

There is a good picture on this site.

http://www.oehha.ca.gov/fish/pdf/dClearLakeExecSum.pdf

and here is another picture

<img src="/shared/photos/photoother/resized/363_resized.jpg">

[Johnny C]

Thank you very much Brian. Just what I needed.

[Blue_R70]

Here's another pic of a Sacramento Blackfish, one that was accidentally hooked on a swimbait (link): Sacramento Blackfish