Six species can be found nowhere else in the world except in North Carolina. The six endemics in North Carolina are the Waccamaw killifish, Waccamaw silverside, Waccamaw darter, Cape Fear shiner, Pinewoods shiner, and the Carolina madtom.
Endemics result from several natural processes.
Often, these fish require such precise environmental conditions that they can only survive in specific locations. Other endemics may have only recently evolved and, therefore, have limited ranges that are slowly expanding. Most endemics were once widespread but, due to environmental changes or pollution, now survive in small areas of their remaining habitat. The Waccamaw darter is confined to Lake Waccamaw and the headwaters of the Waccamaw River. The silverside is restricted to Lake Waccamaw.