# List of fishes of West Virginia

The state of West Virginia has a wide variety of freshwater fish species in its rivers, lakes, and streams. 20% of these species are sportfish, and the remaining 80% are nongame species.

## The taxa

The following letters indicate the river systems that contain each species:
| O | Ohio River Basin | Includes the Ohio, Monongahela, Little Kanawha, Kanawha, Guyandotte, and Big Sandy Rivers. |
| N | New River Basin | Includes the New and Gauley Rivers. |
| P | Potomac River Basin | Includes the Potomac River. |
| J | James River Basin | Includes the James |
In addition, the IUCN classifies one of these species as critically endangered CR, one as endangered EN, five as vulnerable VU, and three as near-threatened NT.

### Order Petromyzontiformes (lampreys)

Family Petromyzontidae (northern lampreys)
* Ohio lamprey (Ichthyomyzon bdellium) O, rare
* Northern brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon fossor) O, rare
* Mountain brook lamprey (Ichthyomyzon greeleyi) O, rare
* Silver lamprey (Ichthyomyzon unicuspis) O, rare
* Least brook lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera) O,N
* American brook lamprey (Lethenteron appendix) O, rare

### Order Acipenseriformes (sturgeons and paddlefish)

Family Acipenseridae (sturgeons)
* Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) O, extinct in West Virginia
* Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) O, VU
Family Polyodontidae (paddlefishes)
* American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) O, rare, VU

### Order Lepisosteiformes (gars)

Family Lepisosteidae (gars)
* Longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) O

### Order Amiiformes (bowfin)

Family Amiidae (bowfin)
* Bowfin (Amia calva) O, rare

### Order Hiodontiformes (mooneyes)

Family Hiodontidae (mooneyes)
* Goldeye (Hiodon alosoides) O, rare
* Mooneye (Hiodon tergisus) O

### Order Anguilliformes (eels)

Family Anguillidae (freshwater eels)
* American eel (Anguilla rostrata) O,N,P, EN

### Order Clupeiformes (herrings and relatives)

Family Clupeidae (herrings, shads, and relatives)
* Skipjack shad (Alosa chrysochloris) O
* Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) O,N,P
* American gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum) O
* Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) O

### Order Cypriniformes (carps, minnows, and relatives)

Family Cyprinidae (carps, true minnows, and relatives)
* Central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) O,N,P,J
* Goldfish (Carassius auratus) O,N,P, introduced
* Redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) O, rare
* Rosyside dace (Clinostomus funduloides) O,N,P,J
* Satinfin shiner (Cyprinella analostana) P, rare
* Whitetail shiner (Cyprinella galactura) O,N
* Spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) O,N,P
* Steelcolor shiner (Cyprinella whipplei) O
* Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) O,N,P, introduced, VU
* Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) O,N,P
* Bighead carp (Hypopthalmichthys nobilis) O
* Streamline chub (Erimystax dissimilis) O,N
* Tonguetied minnow (Exoglossum laurae) O,N, rare
* Cutlips minnow (Exoglossum maxillingua) N,P,J
* Eastern silvery minnow (Hybognathus regius) P, rare
* Mississippi silvery minnow (Hybognathus nuchalis) O, extinct in West Virginia
* Bigeye chub (Hybopsis amblops) O
* White shiner (Luxilus albeolus) O,N
* Striped shiner (Luxilus chrysocephalus) O,N,P
* Common shiner (Luxilus cornutus) O,P,J
* Rosefin shiner (Lythrurus ardens) J, rare
* Scarlet shiner (Lythrurus fasciolaris) O, rare
* Redfin shiner (Lythrurus umbratilis) O
* Shoal chub (Macrhybopsis hyostoma) O
* Silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana) O
* Allegheny pearl dace (Margariscus margarita) O,P, rare
* Hornyhead chub (Nocomis biguttatus) O, extinct in West Virginia
* Bluehead chub (Nocomis leptocephalus) N,P,J
* River chub (Nocomis micropogon) O,P,J
* Bigmouth chub (Nocomis platyrhynchus) N
* Golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) O,N,P,J
* Comely shiner (Notropis amoenus) P
* Popeye shiner (Notropis ariommus) O, rare
* Emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides) O,N,P
* River shiner (Notropis blennius) O
* Bigeye shiner (Notropis boops) O, rare
* Ghost shiner (Notropis buchanani) O
* Bigmouth shiner (Notropis dorsalis) O, extinct in West Virginia
* Spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius) O,N,P
* Sand shiner (Notropis stramineus) O,N
* Silver shiner (Notropis photogenis) O,N
* Swallowtail shiner (Notropis procne) P
* Rosyface shiner (Notropis rubellus) O,N,P,J
* New River shiner (Notropis scabriceps) N, rare
* Telescope shiner (Notropis telescopus) O,N,J
* Mimic shiner (Notropis volucellus) O,N,P
* Channel shiner (Notropis wickliffi) O
* Silverjaw minnow (Ericymba buccata) O,N,P
* Pugnose minnow (Opsopoeodus emiliae) O, extinct in West Virginia
* Suckermouth minnow (Phenacobius mirabilis) O
* Kanawha minnow (Phenacobius teretulus) N, rare
* Southern redbelly dace (Chrosomus erythrogaster) O
* Mountain redbelly dace (Chrosomus oreas) O,N,J
* Bluntnose minnow (Pimephales notatus) O,N,P
* Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) O,N,P
* Bullhead minnow (Pimephales vigilax) O, rare
* Eastern blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) O,P,J
* Western blacknose dace (Rhinichthys obtusus) O,N
* Cheat minnow (Pararhinichthys bowersi) O, rare
* Longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae) O,N,P,J
* Common rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) N
* Creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus) O,N,P,J
* Fallfish (Semotilus corporalis) P
Family Catostomidae (suckers)
* River carpsucker (Carpiodes carpio) O
* Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) O
* Highfin carpsucker (Carpiodes velifer) O, rare
* Longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus) O, extinct in West Virginia
* White sucker (Catostomus commersonii) O,N,P,J
* Blue sucker (Cycleptus elongatus) O, rare
* Creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) P
* Northern hogsucker (Hypentelium nigricans) O,N,P,J
* Smallmouth buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus) O
* Bigmouth buffalo (Ictiobus cyprinellus) O, rare
* Black buffalo (Ictiobus niger) O, rare
* Spotted sucker (Minytrema melanops) O
* Silver redhorse (Moxostoma anisurum) O
* River redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum) O
* Black redhorse (Moxostoma duquesnei) O
* Golden redhorse (Moxostoma erythrurum) O,N,P
* Smallmouth redhorse (Moxostoma breviceps) O
* Shorthead redhorse (Moxostoma macrolepidotum) P, rare
* Torrent sucker (Thoburnia rhothoeca) N,P

### Order Siluriformes (catfishes)

Family Ictaluridae (ictalurid catfishes)
* White bullhead (Ameiurus catus) O
* Black bullhead (Ameiurus melas) O,N
* Yellow bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) O,N,P
* Brown bullhead (Ameiurus nebulosus) O,N,P
* Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) O
* Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) O,N,P
* Mountain madtom (Noturus eleutherus) O, rare
* Stonecat (Noturus flavus) O,N
* Margined madtom (Noturus insignis) O,N,P,J
* Brindled madtom (Noturus miurus) O
* Northern madtom (Noturus stigmosus) O, rare, NT
* Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) O,N

### Order Esociformes (pikes and mudminnows)

Family Esocidae (pikes)
* Redfin pickerel (Esox a. americanus) O,P, rare
* Grass pickerel (Esox americanus vermiculatus) O, rare
* Northern pike (Esox lucius) O,P
* Muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) O,N,P
* Tiger muskellunge (Esox masquinongy x lucius) O,N,P
* Chain pickerel (Esox niger) O,N,P
Family Umbridae (mudminnows)
* Central mudminnow (Umbra limi) O

### Order Salmoniformes (trout)

Family Salmonidae (trout)
* Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) P, introduced
* Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) O,N,P,J, introduced
* Brown trout (Salmo trutta) O,N,J,P, introduced
* Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) O,N,J,P

### Order Percopsiformes (trout-perch)

Family Percopsidae (trout-perch)
* Trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) O

### Order Cyprinodontiformes (toothcarps)

Family Fundulidae (topminnows)
* Northern studfish (Fundulus catenatus) O
* Banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus) O,P, rare
* Mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) P
Family Poeciliidae (livebearers)
* Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) O,N,P

### Order Atheriniformes (silversides)

Family Atherinopsidae (neotropical silversides)
* Brook silverside (Labidesthes sicculus) O,N,P

### Order Gasterosteiformes (sticklebacks)

Family Gasterosteidae (sticklebacks)
* Brook stickleback (Culaea inconstans) O

### Order Scorpaeniformes (mail-cheeked fishes)

Family Cottidae (sculpins)
* Mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii) O,N,J
* Blue Ridge sculpin (Cottus caeruleomentum) P,J
* Slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus) P, rare
* Potomac sculpin (Cottus girardi) P
* Kanawha sculpin (Cottus kanawhae) N, rare
* Bluestone sculpin (Cottus sp.) N

### Order Perciformes (sunfishes and perches)

Family Moronidae (temperate basses)
* White perch (Morone americana) O
* White bass (Morone chrysops) O,N
* Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) O,N
* Hybrid striped bass (Morone chrysops x saxatilis) O
Family Centrarchidae (sunfishes)
* Rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris) O,N,J,P
* Redbreast sunfish (Lepomis auritus) O,N,J,P
* Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) O,N,J,P
* Pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus) O,N,J,P
* Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus) O,P
* Orangespotted sunfish (Lepomis humilis) O
* Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) O,N,J,P
* Longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis) O,N,P
* Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus) O
* Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu) O,N,J,P
* Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) O,N
* Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) O,N,J,P
* White crappie (Pomoxis annularis) O,N,P
* Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) O,N,P
Family Percidae (perches, darters, and relatives)
* Eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida) O
* Western sand darter (Ammocrypta clara) O, rare, VU
* Diamond darter (Crystallaria cincotta) O, rare, CR
* Greenside darter (Etheostoma blennioides) O,N,P
* Rainbow darter (Etheostoma caeruleum) O,N,P
* Bluebreast darter (Etheostoma camurum) O
* Fantail darter (Etheostoma flabellare) O,N,P,J
* Longfin darter (Etheostoma longimanum) J, rare
* Spotted darter (Etheostoma maculatum) O, rare, VU
* Johnny darter (Etheostoma nigrum) O,N,J
* Tessellated darter (Etheostoma olmstedi) P
* Candy darter (Etheostoma osburni) N, rare, NT
* Snubnose darter (Etheostoma simoterum) N
* Tippecanoe darter (Etheostoma tippecanoe) O, NT
* Variegate darter (Etheostoma variatum) O,N
* Banded darter (Etheostoma zonale) O
* Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) O,N,P
* Common logperch (Percina caprodes) O,N
* Channel darter (Percina copelandi) O
* Gilt darter (Percina evides) O, rare
* Appalachia darter (Percina gymnocephala) N, rare
* Longhead darter (Percina macrocephala) O, rare
* Blackside darter (Percina maculata) O,N
* Stripeback darter (Percina notogramma) J, rare
* Sharpnose darter (Percina oxyrhynchus) O,N
* Shield darter (Percina peltata) P
* Slenderhead darter (Percina phoxocephala) O
* Roanoke darter (Percina roanoka) N
* Dusky darter (Percina sciera) O
* River darter (Percina shumardi) O, rare
* Sauger (Sander canadensis) O
* Walleye (Sander vitreus) O,N,P
* Saugeye (Sander canadensis x vitreus) O
Family Sciaenidae (drums)
* Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) O

## List of West Virginia fishes by spawning temperature
### Data table

| Species | Lower bound temperature (C) | Lower bound temperature (F) | Upper bound temperature (C) | Upper bound temperature (F) | Notes |
| Acipenser fulvescens | 13° | 55° | 18° | 64° | |
| Alosa chrysochloris | 16 | 60.8 | 21 | 70 | |
| Amia calva | 16° | 61° | 19° | 66° | |
| Ctenopharyngodon idella | 20 | 68 | 30 | 86 | |
| Ichthyomyzon greeleyi | 18.9° | 66° | | | |
| Ichthyomyzon unicuspis | 10° | 50° | | | |
| Lepisosteus osseus | 20° | 68° | | | |
| Lethenteron appendix | 15° | 59° | | | |
| Luxilus cornutus | 16 | 61 | 26 | 79 | |
| Macrhybopsis storeriana | 19 | 66 | | | |
| Notropis atherinoides | 22.2 | 72 | | | Females in Canada have a wider range of preferred breeding temperatures. |
| Nocomis micropogon | 16 | | 19 | | |
| Notropis procne | 25.6 | 78.1 | | | |
| Notropis stramineus | 27 | 81 | 37 | 99 | |
| Pimephales promelas | 18 | 64 | | | |
| Polyodon spathula | 13° | 55° | 16° | 60° | |
| Rhinichthys cataractae | 14 | 57 | 19 | 66 | |
| Carpiodes carpio | 18.3 | 65 | 19.1 | 66.4 | |
| Carpiodes cyprinus | 7 | 44.6 | 18 | 64.4 | |
| Carpiodes velifer | 17 | 63 | | | |
| Cycleptus elongatus | 12 | 53 | | | |
| Erimyzon oblongus | 12 | 53.6 | 24 | 75.2 | |
| Hypentelium nigricans | 15 | 59 | | | |
| Ictiobus cyprinellus | 13 | 55.4 | 26 | 78.8 | |
| Ictiobus niger | 19 | 66.2 | 24 | 75.2 | |
| Minytrema melanops | 12 | 53.6 | 19 | 66.2 | |
| Moxostoma anisurum | 11.7 | 53 | | | |
| Moxostoma duquesnei | 15 | 59 | 21 | 69.8 | |
| Moxostoma erythrurum | 17 | 62.6 | 22 | 71.6 | |
| Moxostoma macrolepidotum | 7 | 44.6 | 16 | 60.8 | |
| Ameiurus catus | 18.3 | 65 | 23.9 | 75 | |
| Noturus flavus | 25 | 77 | | | |
| Noturus stigmosus | 23 | 73.4 | | | In Canada, the juveniles are found mainly in areas with a water temperature between 19.5 and 28 °C. |
| Esox americanus americanus | 4 | 39 | 18.3 | 65 | |
| Esox lucius | 9 | 48 | | | |
| Umbra limi | 13 | 55.4 | | | |