Status: IUCN: Vulnerable; USFWS: Threatened (1977)

Threats: Habitat fragmentation, impoundments, pollution, and sedimentation (What do these terms mean?)

CFI Status: Propagated at CFI from 1994-Present for reintroduction and monitoring. (What do these terms mean?)

Native Range: Historically in several tributaries of Tennessee River, VA, NC, TN, GA, AL; now only in Little Tennessee River, NC, Buffalo and Emory Rivers, TN, and Holston River, VA and TN.

Spawning Habitat Preferences: Summer spawners in large streams to rivers with high flow; they lay eggs in crevices of clean bedrock or between large boulders or bedrock shelves.

Fun Fact: The Spotfin Chub is remarkably athletic, often found sparring in rushing bedrock rapids. A dominant male will pick his favorite crevice in the stone and hold position in the heavy flow, flashing his vibrant blue coloration to attract females. Should another male approach, they will latch onto one another’s tails, spinning rapidly downstream. The winner will return and repeat the process. 

This species is among the first we ever worked with and one that we have since mastered the captive propagation of. This means that we are able to release upwards of 10,000 larvae most years.
Our success is a result of the careful, dedicated work of our conservation biologists.

In Partnership With: Brookfield Smoky Mountain Hydropower; Cherokee National Forest Service; Southern Region Forest Service; North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality; North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, USFWS (Asheville, NC); World Wildlife Fund