central stoneroller

central stoneroller (Campostoma anomalum) Photo © Uland Thomas

The central stoneroller grows to an average length of three to six inches, with males larger than females. The back and upper sides of this fish are brown while the lower sides and belly are silver-white. The rounded snout sticks out beyond its horizontal mouth. A breeding male has orange dorsal and anal fins with black marks, tubercles on most of the upper body and an orange iris in each eye.

The central stoneroller may be found statewide in Illinois. This fish lives in the gravel riffles, runs and pools of creeks and rivers. It may be seen leaping out of the water. This fish spawns in early spring. The eggs are deposited in pits dug by the males with their body, snout and mouth. No parental care is given to eggs or young. The central stoneroller eats algae and decomposing material that it scrapes up as it moves along the bottom.

Kingdom: Animalia​
Phylum: Chordata​
Class: Actinopterygii​
Order: Cypriniformes​
Family: Leuciscidae