Georgia ranks third in the nation for the number of native freshwater fishes; only Alabama and Tennessee have more species. About 265 species are considered native to the state. The aquatic biodiversity continues to decline in Georgia's freshwater creeks and streams as humans modify the landscape, mainly because of stream habitat alterations and loss caused by urban development.
As we see an increase in habitat alterations, some fish exhibit behavioral adaptations that help with the survival of their young. All BUT ONE is a behavioral adaptation you might see in a freshwater fish species in Georgia. That is:
A) The male and female shiners will swim along the crevice of large rocks and deposit eggs and sperm in the crevice.
B) Male and female catfish exhibit parental care, which includes nest site preparation, fanning of the eggs with their fins, and guarding of the eggs and larvae.
C) The male bluehead chub constructs a gravel mound for spawning. Several other minnow species, known as nest associates, will also use the chub's nest for spawning
D) Stonerollers are sometimes referred to as creek cows because of their behavior of grazing on algae that helps to transfer large amounts of energy through a food chain.
