Dispersal and Reproduction of Relocated Blacknose Dace (Rhinichthys atratulus) in an Acid-Mitigated Southern Appalachian Headwater Stream

Abstract

Abstract Species reintroductions are common among threatened and endangered species; however, nongame species are typically not the target of reintroduction efforts. In 2008, we reintroduced a common nongame species, blacknose dace (Rhinichthys atratulus), into a previously acidified headwater stream, Mountain Run, in Rockingham County, Virginia. Acidic conditions extirpated species from Mountain Run’s headwaters by the 1970s, and brook trout reintroductions subsequent to acid mitigation were highly successful; however, attempts to reintroduce blacknose dace alongside brook trout in 1994-1995 were unsuccessful. In 2008, we collected 1,500 blacknose dace from approximately two kilometers (km) downstream of our study reach and released fish at three locations within our 1.45 km study reach. Fish were marked prior to release and recaptured via backpack electrofishing one month and twelve months post transplant to enumerate fish and document dispersal from release sites and spawning success. Blacknose dace dispersed up to 680 meters downstream from release sites one month post transplant. In 2009, one young-of-year and thirty-three adults were collected. Our effort was mildly successful, but we recommend greater attention to existing physicochemical habitat and food sources and establishing a long-term monitoring protocol prior to expending resources on a reintroduction effort.