Shenandoah National Park National Park Service

 U.S. Department of the Interior

Full Species List of Fish

Forty-one species of fish have been recorded in park waters. The 

mountain streams of the park are one of the last protected 

strongholds of the native eastern brook trout (Salvelinus 

fontinalis) in Virginia. The cool forested slopes give rise to clear 

cold streams, providing excellent habitat for the species. Of the 

approximately 90 small streams in the park, most contain brook 

trout. Other common species known to occur in the park include 

blacknose and longnose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus, Rhinichthys 

cataractae), mottled sculpin (Cottus bairdii), bluehead chub 

(Nocomis leptocephalus), and fantail darter (Etheostoma 

flabellare). 

Flood and drought events are likely the leading causes of sudden 

and dynamic change within fish populations in park streams. 

Other external stressors include the presence of non-native 

predatory fish, changes in water chemistry due to acid deposition, 

and water temperature rise due to climate change. Fortunately, 

brook trout are highly acid-tolerant and continue to reproduce in 

the park’s most acidified streams; however, aquatic systems 

within the park could become more acidic over time. Water 

temperature has gradually increased over the last 30 years within 

the park. If this trend continues, it will reduce the amount of 

suitable habitat for brook trout and possibly extirpate populations 

in some smaller low elevation streams. 

This checklist was compiled on March 10, 2015 using data 

exported from the National Park Service NPSpecies database. The 

database can be accessed at https://irma.nps.gov/NPSpecies/.

Here you will find search tools that make it possible to create 

updated or customized lists. This checklist and others is found at 

https://irma.nps.gov/NPSpecies/Search/SpeciesList/SHEN. Lists 

are currently available for the following: mammals, birds, fish, 

reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, plants (complete list), trees and 

shrubs, wildflowers, ferns, and grasses. Please be advised that 

Latin scientific names often change as a result of new research; 

therefore, scientific names used here may not reflect the most 

current accepted nomenclature.

Rhinishthys atratulus

Salvelinus fontinalis
 Scientific Name Common Names Occ Abd Nat NPS 

Tags

Park Tags GRank SRank

Fish

Ambloplites rupestris Rock Bass P Uc Nn (I) MP; B AQ G5 VA: S5

Ameiurus natalis Yellow Bullhead P R N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Ameiurus nebulosus Brown Bullhead P O N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Anguilla rostrata American Eel P C N R AQ G4 VA: S5

Campostoma anomalum Central Stoneroller P Uc N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Catostomus commersonii White Sucker P Uc N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Chrosomus oreas Mountain Redbelly Dace P C N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Clinostomus funduloides Rosyside Dace P A N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Cottus bairdii Mottled Sculpin P A N B AQ G5 VA: S4

Cottus girardi Potomac sculpin P Uc N B AQ G4 VA: S3S4

Cyprinella analostana Satinfish Shiner P O N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Cyprinella spiloptera Spotfin Shiner P Uc N R AQ G5 VA: S4

Cyprinus carpio Common Carp P O N V AQ G5 VA: SNA

Etheostoma blennioides Greenside Darter P O N V AQ G5 VA: S4

Etheostoma flabellare Fantail Darter P C N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Etheostoma nigrum Johnny Darter P R N B AQ G5 VA: S4

Etheostoma olmstedi Tessellated Darter P Uc N B AQ G5 VA: S4

Exoglossum maxillingua Cutlips Minnow P R N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Hypentelium nigricans Northern Hog Sucker P R N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Lepomis auritus Redbreast Sunfish P O N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Lepomis cyanellus Green Sunfish P O Nn (I) R AQ G5 VA: S5

Lepomis gibbosus Pumpkinseed P O N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Lepomis macrochirus Bluegill P O Nn R AQ G5 VA: S5

Lepomis megalotis Longear Sunfish P O Nn R AQ G5 VA: S4

Lethenteron appendix American Brook 

Lamprey 

P O N R AQ G4 VA: S3

Luxilus cornutus Common Shiner P Uc N B AQ G5 VA: S4

Micropterus dolomieu Smallmouth Bass P Uc Nn (I) MP; B AQ G5 VA: S5

Micropterus salmoides Largemouth Bass P O Nn V AQ G5 VA: S5

Bookmark this report: https://irma.nps.gov/NPSpecies/Reports/Park/Species List/SHEN?

UnitCode=SHEN&CategoryCode=3&SortOrder=Sci&ShowSyonyms=False&ShowInReview=False

This report is filtered by the following Taxonomic Categories: Fish

Species List Page 1 of 4 6/23/2015 2:22:51 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest. 
 Scientific Name Common Names Occ Abd Nat NPS 

Tags

Park Tags GRank SRank

Nocomis leptocephalus Bluehead Chub P C N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Nocomis micropogon River Chub P C N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Noturus insignis Margined Madtom P Uc N B AQ G5 VA: S3

Oncorhynchus mykiss Rainbow Trout P Uc Nn (C) MP; B AQ G5 VA: SNA

Pimephales notatus Bluntnose Minnow P Uc U R AQ G5 VA: S5

Rhinichthys atratulus Blacknose Dace P A N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Rhinichthys cataractae Longnose Dace P A N B AQ G5 VA: S4

Salmo trutta Brown Trout P Uc Nn (I) MP; B AQ G5 VA: SNA

Salmo trutta X Salvelinus

fontinalis

Tiger Trout P R Nn MP; R AQ

Salvelinus fontinalis Brook Trout P A N EC, MP; 

B

AQ G5 VA: S4

Semotilus atromaculatus Creek Chub P C N B AQ G5 VA: S5

Semotilus corporalis Fallfish P Uc N R AQ G5 VA: S5

Thoburnia rhothoeca Torrent Sucker P C N B AQ G4 VA: S4

Report Species Count: 41

Key

Code Term Definition

Occurrence (Occ) P Present Species occurs in park; current, reliable evidence available.

PP Probably Present High confidence species occurs in park but current, verified evidence needed.

Un Unconfirmed Species is attributed to park but evidence is weak or absent.

NP Not In Park Species is not known to occur in park.

Occurrence Tags A Adjacent Species is known to occur in areas near to or contiguous with park boundaries.

FR False Report Species was reported to occur within the park, but current evidence indicates 

the report was based on misidentification, a taxonomic concept no longer 

accepted, or other similar problem of error or interpretation.

H Historical Species' historical occurrence in park is documented. Assigned based on 

judgment as opposed to determination based on age of the most recent 

evidence.

Abundance (Abd) A Abundant Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, and counted in 

relatively large numbers. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: Large number 

of individuals; wide ecological amplitude or occurring in habitats covering a large 

portion of the park

NPSpecies - The National Park Service biodiversity database. IRMA Portal version. https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/. Accessed 6/23/2015 

2:22:51 PM

Species List Page 2 of 4 6/23/2015 2:22:51 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest. 
Abundance (Abd) C Common Animals: May be seen daily, in suitable habitat and season, but not in large 

numbers. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: Large numbers of individuals 

predictably occurring in commonly encountered habitats but not those covering 

a large portion of the park

Uc Uncommon Animals: Likely to be seen monthly in appropriate habitat and season. May be 

locally common. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: Few to moderate 

numbers of individuals; occurring either sporadically in commonly encountered 

habitats or in uncommon habitats

R Rare Animals: Present, but usually seen only a few times each year. Plants, Chromista, 

Protozoa, and Fungi: Few individuals, usually restricted to small areas of rare 

habitat

O Occasional Animals: Occurs in the park at least once every few years, varying in numbers, 

but not necessarily every year. Plants, Chromista, Protozoa, and Fungi: 

Abundance variable from year to year (e.g., desert plants)

U Unknown Abundance unknown

Nativeness (Nat) N Native Species naturally occurring in park or region.

Nn Non-native Species occurring on park lands as a result of deliberate or accidental human 

activities.

U Unknown Nativeness status is unknown or ambiguous.

Nativeness Tags R Restoration Also refers to reintroductions. Native species that has been extirpated or 

substantially diminished from the park as a result of human-induced change, and 

that has been or is in the process of being restored.

C Cultivated Species has been introduced or is maintained as part of the park's mission, 

significance, or cultural landscape (e.g., orchards, crops, fields)

I Invasive Non-native species whose introduction is likely to cause economic or 

environmental harm.

N Noxious Designation by a governmental authority. Species grows aggressively and has 

broad environmental tolerance that allows it to establish in many locations.

Management Tags EC Exploitation 

Concern

Species is considered a target for collection, poaching, commercial harvesting, or 

other non-permitted or exploitative activities.

MP Management 

Priority

Species warrants particular management attention as determined by park 

management staff.

Seasonality Tags B Breeder Population reproduces in the park.

R Resident A significant population is maintained in the park but does not breed within park 

boundaries.

M Migratory Species occurs in the park only while in transition between breeding and 

wintering grounds.

S Summer Typically spending only summer months in the park.

W Winter Typically spending only winter months in the park.

V Vagrant Park is outside of species' usual range.

Species List Page 3 of 4 6/23/2015 2:22:51 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest. 
ParkTags Code Term Definition

Vegetation Life Form Form

Tr Tree Tree

Sh Shrub Shrub

Vi Vine Vine

He Herb Herb

Gr Graminoid Graminoid (grass)

Fe Fern Fern

Ly Lycopod Lycopod

Habitat Hab

AQ Aquatic Within rivers, streams and ponds

CU Cultural Planted by humans, either by pre-park residents or park employees/contractors

FE Forest Edge Forest borders and field margins

ME Meadow Meadows, fields, lawns, forest clearings, and ruderal habitats

MF Mesic forest Mesic and dry-mesic forests; represents a majority of park’s forested area

RO Rock outcrop Exposed and shaded outcrops, boulder fields, talus slopes, and rocky barrens

SS Shrub/Scrub Second growth forest and habitats dominated by shrubs

WL Wetland Riparian areas, seeps, springs, fens, swamps, and wetland hummocks

XF Xeric forest Dry forests, including heath woodlands and shrublands

PW Park wide Park wide

Seasons when the species 

is most easily 

encountered. 

Seas

Sp Spring Spring (Mar, Apr, May)

Su Summer Summer (Jun, Jul, Aug)

Fa Fall Fall (Sept, Oct)

Wi Winter Winter (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb)

All All Year All Year Round

GRank and SRank information is provided by NatureServe (www.natureserve.org) and its network of natural heritage member programs, a 

leading source of information about rare and endangered species, and threatened ecosystems.

Species List Page 4 of 4 6/23/2015 2:22:51 PM

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Species List for Shenandoah National Park (SHEN)

This represents information currently in the NPSpecies data system at the date and time the list was generated. Records are continually 

being added or updated by National Park Service staff. There is a key with definitions at the bottom of the report. To report an error or 

make a suggestion, go to https://irma.nps.gov/npspecies/suggest.