Fun Copper Redhorse Facts For Kids

Known for its large and distinctive copper-colored scales, the copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi) is an endangered species of freshwater fish endemic to Canada. It belongs to the larger group of redhorses or jumprocks of the genus Moxostoma, comprising several species of ray-finned fishes native to North America.

Copper hued scales are not the only characteristic that makes the species stand out. This endangered fish is the largest species of redhorse in Quebec and also has the longest lifespan of the lot.

However, the remaining population of this native fish species of Canada is restricted to the rivers and waterways of southwestern Quebec.

Even though the exact population size of this endangered fish species is unknown, it is estimated that there are less than 1,650 of them left in their wild habitat.

The only two known spawning grounds for this endangered species are located at the Chambly rapids upstream of the Richelieu River and areas downstream of the Saint Ours dam. Outside the spawning season, this endangered fish species inhabits shallow grass beds close to islands of the St. Lawrence River and its lakes.

A combination of several threats such as habitat degradation, the introduction of invasive species, recreational activities, fisheries, contaminants, and dams have jeopardized the well being of the fish population.

Besides being an endangered species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the species has been granted protection under the Species at Risk Act by the federal government of Canada.

Apart from efforts of the government of Canada to save this invaluable species from threats, several other conservation efforts are underway for the recovery of the Copper Redhorse.

Despite their Endangered and Species at Risk statuses, the copper redhorse of Canada remains a fascinating aquatic species worth studying. So, read on to know more about this freshwater fish species with copper colored scales!

Check out some more interesting fish species with facts on scarlet badis and cortez angelfish.

Copper Redhorse Interesting Facts

What type of animal is the copper redhorse?

The copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi) is a species of freshwater ray finned fish native to the waterways of Quebec, Canada.

What class of animal does a copper redhorse belong to?

The copper redhorse fish belongs to the class of ray finned fishes (class Actinopterygii).

How many copper redhorse fish are there in the world?

The exact population size of the copper redhorse fish is unknown. However, scientists speculate that there are fewer than 1,650 of them left in the wild habitat.

Where does the copper redhorse live?

The natural habitat of the copper redhorse fish population includes medium-sized waterways and rivers. This endangered, Species at Risk fish is especially common in shallow grass beds around archipelagoes and islands.

Spawning sites are usually located at depths of 2.5-6.6 ft (0.76-2 m) in white waters with substrates composed of rocks, gravel, and clay. During the spawning season, female fish may travel back and forth between spawning sites and regions of calmer waters.

What is a copper redhorse's habitat?

The copper redhorse population does not have an extensive geographical distribution and is solely concentrated in the rivers of Quebec, Canada.

The distribution range of this endangered species that is also classified as a Species at Risk includes stretches of the Richelieu River, the Noire River, the Yamaska River, the Rivière des Prairies, the Rivière L’Acadie, and the Rivière des Mille Îles.

The species' habitat also includes certain sections of the St. Lawrence River, between the downstream region of Lake Saint Pierre and Vaudreuil, and at the mouth of the Saint François and Maskinongé rivers.

However, the species is likely to have disappeared from the Yamaska and Noire rivers because of habitat fragmentation and degradation.

Currently, the species is known to have only two spawning grounds in the Richelieu River. The main one is in the Chambly rapids archipelago upstream of the Richelieu River, and the other is located in a downstream channel of the Saint Ours Dam.

Mature, spawn ready individuals have also been reported at the head of Lake Saint Louis. However, there have never been any reports of reproduction-related activity outside the Richelieu River spawning grounds.

Who do copper redhorse fish live with?

No information is available as to whether the copper redhorse is solitary or lives in groups. However, given that the species has a limited distribution range, it can be said that their spawning grounds and territories may overlap.

How long does a copper redhorse live?

The copper redhorse is known to have a lifespan of up to 30 years, the longest among all redhorse species.

How do they reproduce?

Compared to other redhorse species in the St. Lawrence River plain, the reproduction period of the copper redhorse begins much later in the season. Reproduction activities begin around the middle of June and continue until the first week of July when water temperatures vary in the range of 64.4-78.8 F (18-26 C).

During the reproduction season, a mature female lays between 35,000-112,000 eggs which hatch after an incubation period of four to seven days. Even though white waters are common spawning locations, the female fish moves between such sites and calmer waters during the reproduction period.

However, mature fish may spawn at more than one site during a single spawning season. During their first two growing years, juvenile fish occupy grass beds with fine substrates near the shore. The copper redhorse becomes capable of reproduction at about 10 years of age.

What is their conservation status?

The copper redhorse has the status of being an Endangered species as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. The species also has an endangered status under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

Copper Redhorse Fun Facts

What do copper redhorses look like?

The copper redhorse is a pretty large fish with copper tinted scales. It has an inferiorly placed protruded mouth and lips with folds. The pharyngeal apparatus (assists in feeding and respiration) and teeth are arranged in an arch around the esophagus opening. Each pharyngeal arch has 18-21 teeth.

The head is short, massive, and shaped like an equilateral triangle. Copper-tinted scales are arranged in 15-16 rows. A moderately high arch rises sharply behind the head to give a characteristic humpback appearance to the fish.

*We've been unable to source an image of a copper redhorse and have used an image of a greater redhorse instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty free image of a copper redhorse, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.

How cute are they?

The copper redhorse cannot be regarded as conventionally cute. Except for copper tinted scales and the humpback appearance, it looks pretty much like any other fish.

How do they communicate?

Like most other fish, copper redhorse fish communicate with each other through low frequency sounds produced by vibrations of the swim bladder.

How big is a copper redhorse?

The average length of a copper redhorse can be about 19.7 in (50 cm). It is slightly larger than the greater redhorse (Moxostoma valenciennesi) of northeastern North America, which has an average length of around 18 in (46 cm).

How fast can a copper redhorse swim?

No information is available regarding the swimming speed of the copper redhorse.

How much does a copper redhorse weigh?

The average weight of a copper redhorse is about 11 lb (5 kg).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Male and female fish do not have distinct names.

What would you call a baby copper redhorse?

A baby copper redhorse would be called a fry.

What do they eat?

In its natural habitat, the diet of the copper redhorse mainly consists of small mollusks such as snails, clams, and mussels. Juveniles may feed on worms, insect larvae, microcrustaceans, and algae. The pharyngeal apparatus of this fish is well adapted to crush the shells of its prey.

Are they dangerous?

The copper redhorse of Canada is not known to be dangerous. However, its robust teeth can be pretty deadly to small mollusks that form a part of this fish's diet.

Would they make a good pet?

The large size of the copper redhorse would make it unsuitable for keeping as a pet. Besides, the Endangered status of the species as per the IUCN and Species at Risk Act makes it illegal to own one as a pet. It is best left in its natural habitat.

Did you know...

The first description of the copper redhorse appears to have been given by Pierre Étienne Fortin in 1866. However, Vianney Legendre is credited with the discovery of the species in 1942.

During summer, habitat selection by the copper redhorse is influenced by factors such as the presence of mussels, gastropods (snails and slugs), low current velocity, and fine substrate. In winter, the species prefers low gastropod density, little or no vegetation, slow water current, shallow depth, and fine substrate.

The introduction of related exotic aquatic species such as the zebra mussel, the quagga mussel, the tench, and the round goby poses serious threats to the habitat quality and recovery of the copper redhorse.

In 1994, a mini hydroelectric project on Chambly rapids was dropped due to potential threats to the reproduction of the copper redhorse. Dams affect water flow patterns and destroy fish habitats.

The Chambly archipelago, which is a critical spawning site of the copper redhorse, is popular among recreational boaters and swimmers. As a result, this human intrusion induces stress on the spawners and can lead to the destruction of eggs.

The Species at Risk Act is a commitment of the government of Canada to confer legal protection to wildlife species and provide for the conservation of biological diversity. The key purpose of this federal government legislation is to prevent indigenous species and distinct populations of Canadian wildlife from becoming extinct.

It provides for the recovery and management of threatened and endangered species, preventing them from becoming species at risk.

How many eggs do copper redhorses lay?

The copper redhorse lays about 35,000-112,000 eggs.

Is the copper redhorse only found in Canada?

Yes, the copper redhorse is endemic to southwestern Quebec, Canada. Its natural habitat includes stretches of the Richelieu River, the Rivière des Prairies, the Rivière L’Acadie, and the Rivière des Mille Îles.

The species is also found in parts of the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Saint François and Maskinongé rivers.

The Richelieu River hosts the current spawning grounds of the species. While the main spawning site is in the Chambly rapids archipelago upstream of the Richelieu River, the other is situated in a downstream channel of the Saint Ours Dam.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other fishes from our nervous shark facts and banded rainbowfish facts pages. 

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable girl feeding goldfish coloring pages.