Range and Identity
Macrhybopsis tetranema historically occupied parts of Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, with a Colorado record also documented. Federal accounts describe a greatly reduced range. Historical distribution should therefore remain distinct from a claim that every former river reach still contains the species.
Habitat and Behavior
Adults use dynamic prairie-river habitat where flow and temperature can vary widely. Two pairs of barbels and widespread taste buds help locate food in turbid water. Feeding observations include taking sediment into the mouth, sorting food and expelling unwanted material.
Food and Life History
Foods include larval insects, small crustaceans and plant material. The compiled maximum is 7.7 centimeters total length, consistent with the federal description of adults reaching about three inches. The importance of connected flowing habitat is not a claim that isolated pools alone can sustain the complete life cycle.
Field Note
Record flow and channel connectivity as well as turbidity. Poor visibility can be normal habitat, while loss of connected river reaches presents a different problem.
All Lakes With Peppered Chub
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Peppered Chub records in our database, listed alphabetically.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.