Semotilus atromaculatus

Semotilus atromaculatus

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Leuciscidae
Subfamily: Plagopterinae
Genus: Semotilus
Species:
S. atromaculatus
Binomial name
Semotilus atromaculatus
(Mitchill, 1818)
Synonyms
  • Cyprinus atromaculatus Mitchill, 1818
  • Semotilus atromaculatus atromaculatus (Mitchill, 1818)
  • Semotilus dorsalis Rafinesque, 1820
  • Semotilus cephalus Rafinesque, 1820
  • Leuciscus iris Valenciennes, 1844
  • Leuciscus pulchelloides Ayres, 1850
  • Leucosomus incrassatus Girard, 1856
  • Semotilus macrocephalus Girard, 1856
  • Leucosomus pallidus Girard, 1856
  • Semotilus speciosus Girard, 1856
  • Semotilus hammondii Abbott, 1860

Semotilus atromaculatus, the creek chub or the common creek chub, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae. This species is found in the eastern US and Canada. Differing in size and color depending on origin of development, the creek chub can usually be defined by a dark brown body with a black lateral line spanning horizontally across the body. It lives primarily within streams and rivers. Creek chubs attain lengths of 2–6 inches (5.1–15.2 cm) with larger specimens of up to 12 inches (30 cm) long.