Research activities are conducted by faculty, staff and students primarily from Southeastern, including Southeastern’s Department of Biological Sciences, history, chemistry, physics, and education, as well as other surrounding universities. Researchers take advantage of the various wetlands easily accessed via Turtle Cove boats and the boardwalks surrounding the Turtle Cove lodge.
Southeastern Louisiana University researchers are conducting an independent monitoring study focused on collecting environmental data within and around Lake Maurepas in advance of any future carbon sequestration projects. The project is comprised of several research teams overseeing different abiotic and biotic study components, including aquatic monitoring, physiological stress and ecotoxicological metric monitoring, wetland vegetation growth, and chemical analyses of lake water and sediments. The role of Turtle Cove in the Lake Maurepas Monitoring Project is to assist researchers with lake access through our Galva Canal facility and Turtle Cove boats, and highlight study findings through our education/outreach program.
Please visit the Lake Maurepas Monitoring Project homepage for more information on research teams, sampling data, and real-time water quality buoy data.
The Turtle Cove Marsh Restoration Program has been in place since 1995, when it was funded by the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources to conduct restoration in both Tangipahoa and St. John the Baptist parishes. From 1995 through 2010, Turtle Cove Marsh Restoration Coordinator Fred Stouder focused on planting various marsh grasses and bald cypress seedlings, and building levees from old Christmas trees. The program has been highlighted in several media outlets including The Advocate newspaper.
Funding for the program and grass/cypress plantings ended in 2010 (and Fred has since retired as of 2012), but Turtle Cove staff and graduate students, with the help of volunteers from various Southeastern Classes and from various local community groups have continued to deploy Christmas Trees collected within Tangipahoa Parish.
To date, over 45,000 Christmas trees have been deployed and over 25,000 marsh grasses and cypress seedlings have been planted in the Manchac Wetlands under this program.
The program has two main priorities. The first priority centers on building levees that prevent soil erosion and that create a viable environment and land for new plants to thrive.
Levee building involves gathering old Christmas trees that have been delivered to Galva Canal via large dump trucks. The trees are hoisted onto the pontoon boat for transport to the sites where new plantings will later flourish. The pontoon boat can hold approximately 200 trees. Generally 200 yards–two football fields–of levee that will sustain new grass plantings and maybe even some cypress seedlings is formed with approximately 2,500-3,000 trees.
The second priority focuses on planting seedlings to hinder and potentially stop the marshes from turning into open water spaces. The plants also help to build land and prevent soil erosion. Adult volunteers, college students, school groups, and others have given countless hours to the tedious work.
If you’d like to join with one of these volunteer groups, or if you have a school group or organization interested in volunteering, or if your business is interested in providing support for the program, contact Robert Moreau ([email protected]).
Dr. Kyle Piller, with funding from the Pontchartrain Conservancy, created an index of the fishes in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. For more information, you can contact Dr. Piller at [email protected].
The Lake Pontchartrain Basin is one of the most ecologically and economically important oligohaline systems in the United States. Due to its characteristic east-west salinity gradient, it harbors a distinctive and ever changing fish community. Much of the culture and economy of the southeastern Louisiana is based on the aquatic resources of the basin. Although most people in the region are generally concerned about the health and abundance of the sportfishes (i.e. redfish and speckled trout) in the basin, relatively few are concerned or even aware of the non-game (i.e. Blackbanded Darter or Sailfin molly) and exotic (Rio Grande Cichlid and Common Carp) species that occur throughout the basin.
In 1974, Douglas published the Freshwater Fishes of Louisiana, the most comprehensive treatise on Louisiana fishes. Unfortunately, this publication has long been out of date and is not readily available to most Louisianans. Other educational fish posters are available; however, they depict only marine fishes or only freshwater fishes. Prior to this project, no pamphlet or other educational-outreach material existed specifically for the fishes of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. This project was funded by the Pontchartrain Conservancy.
Recent generations of sportsman, outdoorsman, and environmentalists are likely not aware of the immense freshwater, estuarine, and marine biodiversity in the Lake Pontchartrain basin. The production of organismal-based educational material has been immensely popular for other agencies (e.g., Sea Grant Programs) interested in outreach and education.
Overall, the Lake Pontchartrain Basin is healthier than it was 20 years ago. Redfish and speckled trout populations are increasing, and formerly uncommon species of fishes, are returning to the basin. It seems timely that updated educational material on fishes of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin be made available to the people of south Louisiana. The objective of this project was to produce an educational poster depicting the fishes in the basin, inclusive of non-game, sport, and exotic fishes. Distributed through Turtle Cove, these posters are now available to educational and environmental groups during various workshops and environmental events held at Turtle Cove, along with being available to other interested groups throughout Louisiana and the Gulf region.
The images used in the production of this poster were illustrated by Joe Tomelleri, one of the premier fish illustrators in the world. His illustrations have appeared in more than 500 publications, including many magazines, advertisements, newspapers, greeting cards, clothing, signage, identification guides, websites, and most recently, in two fish books: Fishes of Alabama (Boschung & Mayden 2004) and the Trout and Salmon of North America (Behnke et al. 2002).
Thirty fish illustrations are represented on this poster including non-game fishes, sportfishes, endangered fishes, and exotics fishes that occur in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. Not only does the poster include images of fishes that occur in Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas, but it also includes lesser-known fishes that occur in the Tangipahoa, Amite, Tickfaw, and Blind Rivers.
Line 1:
Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhincus)
The Gulf sturgeon is a species that occurs throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the eastern Atlantic. It is a remnant of an ancient group of fishes that dates back to the age the dinosaurs. The Gulf sturgeon grows very large, reaching lengths of greater than 8 feet and weighing more than 200 pounds. It is an anadromous species that reproduces in freshwater and spends much of its life in the marine environment. Gulf sturgeon do not reach reproductive maturity until they are between 8 and 12 years of age. Gulf sturgeon possess whiskers called barbels and a ventrally placed mouth which they use to detect and suction small invertebrates from the bottom sediments. Their bodies are covered by a heavy set of armored plates called scutes. The Gulf sturgeon is rare in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin.
Paddlefish (Polyodon spathula)
The paddlefish is also a remnant of a very ancient group of fishes that now consists of only two species, one in North America and another species in China. The fossil record indicates that paddlefish appeared in the fossil record 50 million years before the dinosaurs. Paddlefish occur in freshwater rivers throughout eastern North America. They reach lengths of 5 feet or more and adults can weigh more than 60 pounds. Paddlefish possess a deeply forked tail, a scaleless body, and paddle shaped snout called a rostrum. The function or adaptive significance of the paddle is unknown. Paddlefish are filter feeders. The primarily feed on zooplankton (small floating invertebrates) by opening their large mouths and swimming, and using their gill rakers to filter zooplankton from the water column. Paddlefish are endangered or threatened in many states and are therefore protected. Historically paddlefish have been harvested for their caviar.
Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula)
America, and the alligator gar is the largest, reaching lengths of greater than 9 feet and almost 300 pounds. Alligator gars possess a heavily armored body covered with diamond shaped ganoid scales. They possess a wide snout and two rows of teeth in the upper jaw, which separate them from the others species of gar. Juvenile alligator gar have pigmentation patterns that are slightly different than the adults. Alligator gar are major predators and feed on other species of fish and crabs; however, there are records of alligator gar feeding on birds, including various species of ducks. Alligator gars are often caught by anglers and in some areas are harvested commercially. The eggs of alligator gar are toxic, but the flesh is edible.
Line 2:
American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
American eels have an interesting life cycle as they are catadromous, which means they reproduce in the marine environment and spend the remaining portion of their life in freshwater. American eels reproduce in deep regions of the Atlantic Ocean (Sargasso Sea).The eggs and larvae, known as leptocephalus larvae, float with the oceanic currents. It takes approximately one year for the larvae to reach the coastal regions of the western Atlantic. At this point, they begin the first of several additional juvenile stages and begin to ascend streams and rivers along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts where they spend most of their life in freshwater. American eels possess elongated bodies but lack pelvic fins. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are continuous and appear as though they represent one fin. They possess very fine, non-overlapping scales covering their bodies. The larger tributaries in the basin are where the American eel is most common.
Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)
The bay anchovy is primarily a marine species but can be common in Lake Pontchartrain. It is very small in size, reaching maximum lengths of less than 4 inches. They are laterally compressed and possess nearly transparent bodies. They also possess a single dorsal fin, elongated jaws, and a broad silvery mid-lateral stripe along the length of the body. They are typically found in large schools, as they actively feed on zooplankton near the waters surface. Bay anchovies play a key role in the food web of Lake Pontchartrain as they represent the forage base for many larger predatory species in the basin including speckled trout.
Gulf Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus)
The Gulf menhaden (or Pogy) is a wide-ranging species that occurs in the near shore or estuarine regions of the Gulf of Mexico from the Yucatan peninsula to near Tampa Florida. It also occurs in Lake Pontchartrain. It is a fairly deep-bodied and laterally compressed species with a dark blue or greenish colored back and a bright silvery colored body. There is usually a large dark lateral spot, followed by several smaller spots along the flank. It also possesses sharp serrated scutes along the belly. Gulf menhaden typically feed on zooplankton and live throughout the water column. Gulf menhaden represent one of the most important commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, harvested specifically for their oil. According to Ross (2001), the oil is used in the production of cosmetics, rust preventative paints, and livestock feeds.
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)
The common carp is a member of the minnow family, a group that also includes chubs, dace, shiners, and goldfish. It is easily distinguished by the presence of two barbels, a gray to brassy body coloration, large scales, and a stout body. Carp grow to large sizes, commonly weighing 20 pounds or more. They are native to Eurasia and were introduced into North America in the mid-1800s.They occupy various habitats, most often occurring in lakes, ponds, reservoirs, and pooled habitats of slow flowing portion of rivers and streams with silty bottoms and vegetation. They also occur in brackish waters, like Lake Pontchartrain, but are most common in freshwater environments. Common carp occur in Lakes Pontchartrain and Maurepas and most of the surrounding rivers and streams. Common carp are usually taken in commercial fisheries in the Mississippi River and to a lesser extent in the recreational fishery in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and elsewhere throughout the eastern United States.
Blacktail Shiner (Cyprinella venusta)
The blacktail shiner is the most common minnow in small to medium sized streams and rivers in the southeastern United States. It occurs in areas of swifter current over sand and gravel substrates. It also occurs in freshwater habitats along the Gulf Coastal Plain from Texas to Georgia and Florida, and northward to southern Illinois. The large black caudal spot and yellowish-colored pectoral and pelvic fins make this species easy to identify. It is a relatively large shiner species, reaching a length of 7.5 inches although specimens of 2-4 inches are most common.
Longnose Shiner (Notropis longirostris)
The longnose shiner is common in sandy bottomed streams and rivers in the southeastern United States and occupies most of the tributaries in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. It is a small minnow with a maximum length of approximately 2 inches. The body color is straw colored, and the fins are typically yellow or orange. It lives on the bottom of the stream in flowing water habitats, typically over sand or gravel substrates. The longnose shiner feeds on small invertebrates.
Line 3:
Weed Shiner (Notropis texanus)
The weed shiner is a small minnow with a black lateral band. It also possesses a bluntly rounded snout and dark pigmentation on the posterior portion of the anal fin. It occurs in freshwater streams and rivers of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and throughout the Gulf of Mexico Basin. It primarily occurs in slow to moderately flowing portions of small to medium sized streams. Weed shiners typically live for three years, occasionally surviving for four years.
Smallmouth Buffalo (Ictiobus bubalus)
The smallmouth buffalo is a member of the family Catostomidae, a group collectively known as the suckers. Typically, suckers occupy the bottom portions of aquatic systems using their fleshy lips to suction invertebrates from the bottom sediments. Smallmouth buffalo can obtain weights of greater than 50 pounds and lengths up to 3 feet. The sides and dorsal portion of the body tend to be black to dark gray in color; whereas, the ventral portion is typically lighter in coloration. Smallmouth buffalo are most similar in appearance to common carp and freshwater drum, species that also occur in the basin. They are common in larger rivers in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and also occur in Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain.
Blacktail Redhorse (Moxostoma poecilurum)
The blacktail redhorse is a common species that primarily occurs in rivers and streams in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. It most often occurs in clear flowing water habitats over sand and gravel substrates but can survive in lake or reservoir habitats. It lives on the bottom, and like other suckers, it suction feeds invertebrates from the bottom sediments. The blacktail redhorse is easily identified by the area of black pigment on the lower portion of the caudal fin, as well as its thick fleshy lips that are used for suction feeding.
Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
The blue catfish is an extremely common species in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin and is particularly abundant in Lake Maurepas. Blue catfish primarily occupy freshwater habitats, but are tolerant of saline environments. They occur in a wide-range of habitats including large rivers and reservoirs, to backwater and estuarine habitats. They eat an array of resources including other fish, as well as shrimp and crabs. Easily identified by the presence of chin barbels, fin spines, and the lack of scales, blue catfish can be distinguished from other catfish in the basin by a blueish coloration of the body in adults, the lack of spots covering the body (as seen in channel catfish), and a straight-edged anal fin. Record catfish of greater than 100 pounds have been caught on hook and line, and there are unconfirmed reports of blue catfish weighing more than 150 pounds.
Brindled Madtom (Noturus miurus)
The brindled madtom is a diminutive catfish closely related to the blue catfish. It is a member of the genus Noturus, a group that includes approximately 25 species. Most madtom catfishes are small in size reaching maximum lengths of less than 10 inches. Brindles madtoms possess multiple dorsal saddles, as well as a distinct black area of pigment on their dorsal fins, which distinguish them from many other species of catfish that occur in the basin. Madtoms, in general, are known for toxicity in their dorsal and pectoral fin spines, which they use as anti-predator devices. Brindled madtoms are common in sandy bottomed streams in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin, most often occurring in slowing flowing stream reaches.
Line 4:
Sea Catfish (Arius felis)
The sea catfish, also known as the hardhead catfish, is a wide-ranging species, essentially occurring in marine and estuarine habitats from Chesapeake Bay to the Yucatan Peninsula. Sea catfish are also scaleless, possess two pairs of short barbels as well as two long maxillary barbels, and a forked caudal fin. They are typically steel-blue to silvery in coloration. They lack nostril barbels, which are present on freshwater catfish such as blue catfish and brindled madtoms. Most often, sea catfish are caught as by-catch as they are not typically targeted by anglers. Sea catfish have an interesting behavior; males carry fertilized eggs and larvae in their mouth as they develop. Once they reach a large enough size, the larvae leave the mouth to fend for themselves. Sea catfish are scavengers, and based on diet studies, eat a wide-range of food items from algae to fish to invertebrates.
Inland Silverside (Menidia beryllina)
The inland silverside is common in coastal regions and estuaries, including Lake Pontchartrain. They also occur in freshwater environments throughout eastern North America and are known to occur far inland; specimens have been collected as far inland as the Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois. Inland silversides are elongate, possess two dorsal fins, an upturned mouth, and a broad silver lateral stripe. They live near the surface, often in schools, and feed on zooplankton and small invertebrates. Because they live near the surface, they are often preyed upon by larger fish and birds.
Atlantic Needlefish (Strongylura marina)
Atlantic needlefish occur throughout western Atlantic from Maine to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Atlantic needlefish primarily occur in inshore areas, shallow coastal waters, and estuaries like Lake Pontchartrain, but can also be found far inland in freshwater rivers. Atlantic needlefish possess very small scales, elongate jaws with needle-like teeth, and an upper portion of the body that is greenish while the venter is white. Although needlefish appear similar to gars (Family Lepisosteidae), they are not closely related to each other. Needlefish live near the surface, often in grassy or vegetated shallow areas and attain a maximum size of two feet.
Sheepshead Minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus)
The sheepshead minnow is neither a sheepshead (drum family) nor a minnow (carp, shiner, minnow family). In fact, it a member of the pupfish family Cyprinodontidae, and most species occupy the arid southwest. Sheepshead minnows are robust and small with a maximum size of only 2 inches. Their bodies are silvery to bluish in color, and the ventral region is white. The posterior edge of the caudal fin is often bordered by a wide-dark stripe. Adult males often have an iridescent coloration when viewed from the shore. The sheepshead minnow occur along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from Massachusetts to Vera Cruz, Mexico. They are very common along the vegetated shorelines of Lake Pontchartrain. The sheepshead minnow is very tolerant of elevated and diminished salinities. In Louisiana, they are resident freshwater populations, and in other areas, they occur in evaporating tide-pools with salinities as high as four times the level of seawater.
Sailfin Molly (Poecilia latipinna)
The sailfin molly is an attractive species with a unique morphology. As the common name implies, males possess an enlarged sail-like dorsal fin. Males, like the one depicted on the poster, possess a body that is bluish to silver in color, with 6-8 rows of dark spots along the side of the body, and a reddish margin on the dorsal fin. Females lack the large dorsal fin and are less colorful and ornate than males. The sailfin molly typically occurs in brackish water and is therefore very abundant near shoreline areas of Lake Pontchartrain. However, it is also very tolerant of freshwater and permanent resident populations occur throughout its range. Sailfin mollies are live bearers similar to their distant cousins like mosquitofish and guppies. They typically have 6-36 offspring per reproductive cycle and are capable of producing multiple clutches of offspring during their reproductive period (April to September). Maximum adult size is approximately 4 inches.
Shadow Bass (Ambloplites ariommus)
The shadow bass, also locally known as the goggle-eye, is a species in the sunfish family, a group which includes 32 species such as the largemouth bass, bluegill, and white crappie. The shadow bass is common in small streams and rivers along the Gulf Coast. It occurs in most streams in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin including the Natalbany, Tangipahoa, and Tickfaw Rivers. It occurs in the deeper pools of these streams, and like other species of sunfish, often is associated with woody debris or cover. The shadow bass is a distinctive species with a dark brown coloration and with 4-5 dark bands along the side of the body that extend from the dorsal region to the ventral region. There is also a distinct bar extending posteriorly from the eye. Maximum size is less than 8 inches, and the angling record for this species is 1.5 pounds.
Line 5:
Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus)
The bluegill is one of the most widespread and popular sportfishes in the United States. Populations of bluegill occur throughout most of the eastern North America from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Bluegill have been widely stocked and introduced outside of their native ranges because of their popularity as sportfish. They are ubiquitous and survive in various habitats including lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, and streams. In addition, they often enter estuaries with salinities as high as 10ppt. Maximum weight is approximately 3-4 pounds. Bluegill are easily identified with the presence of 8-11 vertical bars, a dark spot at the posterior base of the dorsal fin, a yellow or orange colored venter, and a blue or green background coloration along the side of the body.
Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides)
The largemouth bass is the one of the most popular sportfishes in the world. It occurs in all major drainage basins in Louisiana, and it is widespread throughout the eastern United States. The largemouth bass has also been introduced throughout the United States and the world. It occurs in lakes, rivers, and streams, and is most common in pooled habitats with vegetation or woody debris. The largemouth bass is a top predator in most freshwater environments that feeds on other fishes, as well as crayfish. They have two dorsal fins with a deep notch between the fins. The upper jaw is large and extends beyond the rear margin of the eye. General body coloration is green-olive-brown on the upper portion of the body to a lighter coloration below, as well as lateral stripe breaks into blotches near the caudal fin. It is known to grow to more than 20 pounds.
Rio Grande or Texas Cichlid (Herichthys cyanoguttatus)
The Rio Grande cichlid is a warm-water species native to Texas and Mexico. It was introduced into Lake Pontchartrain sometime prior to 1996 when it was first discovered in the eastern portion of the lake. Since then, it has expanded its range along the southshore of Lake Pontchartrain and is common in the canals in Metairie and Kenner. This species is very common in the aquarium trade, likely due to its introduction into the basin. It is an aggressive species particularly when males guard territories, but the impact of the Rio Grande cichlid on the native fish fauna of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin has not been studied. The Rio Grande cichlid appears similar to native sunfishes (bluegill, spotted sunfish), but is easily identified by the presence of 4-6 dark blotches and white to blue speckling on the side of the body, an interrupted lateral line, and a one nostril on each side of the snout.
Speckled Darter (Etheostoma stigmaeum)
The speckled darter is a spectacularly colored species. During the spring months, males obtain bright coloration, which they flaunt to attract female speckled darters for reproduction. There are nearly 200 species of darters in North America, and they reach their greatest diversity in the southeastern United States. They are members of the perch family and are closely related to yellow perch, sauger, and walleye. Overall, darters are an interesting group of fishes because most species completely lack or possess an extremely reduced swimbladder. As a result, they live on the bottom of streams and “dart” from place to place. Speckled darters occupy freshwater streams and rivers in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin. They are small in size (less than 2. 5 inches in length), typically live 2-3 years, and eat small aquatic insects. Darters, including speckled darters, are excellent indicators of environmental quality and are not typically present in degraded habitats.
Redfish (Sciaenops ocellatus)
Redfish or red drum is a common sportfish in Louisiana. The most obvious characteristics distinguishing redfish from other species is their reddish-bronze coloration and the occurrence of a large dark spot near the caudal fin; however, some individuals possess additional spots. Estuaries and bays represent nursery areas for juvenile and young redfish (less than 3 years old). When redfish reach 3-4 years of age, they migrate to near shore shelf areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Redfish are known to surpass40 pounds. They are closely related to other common drum/croaker species in Louisiana including black drum, speckled trout, Atlantic croaker, and freshwater drum.
Line 6:
Atlantic Croaker (Micropogonias undulatus)
The Atlantic croaker occurs from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Campeche, Mexico. They are benthic species, living in coastal waters, in the lower portions of freshwater rivers, and in Lake Pontchartrain. They have a rounded snout, two dorsal fins, an inferior mouth, and 3-5 pairs of barbels on the chin. Body coloration is grayish or silver on the upper portion of the body and white on the venter. They also have bronze colored, iridescent, oblique-shaped bars along the side of the body. They ingest marine worms, and as they reach adult sizes, they also eat large crustaceans and fishes.
Speckled Trout (Cynoscion nebulosus)
The speckled trout or spotted seatrout is one of the most important sport fishes in Louisiana. It occurs from Massachusetts to Florida and from Florida through the Northern Gulf of Mexico, and southward into Texas and Mexico. It is common in Lake Pontchartrain. It possess two dorsal fins, a silvery body color with a pattern of black spots along the upper side that extend onto the dorsal and caudal fins, and a pair of canine teeth at the front of the upper jaw. It reaches a maximum size of 3 feet and more than 17 pounds. Scientific data suggests that speckled trout may live as long as 18 years. Speckled trout are most abundant in shallow inshore vegetated habitats.
Fat Sleeper (Dormitator maculatus)
The fat sleeper occurs in coastal areas of the Atlantic basin from North Carolina to Brazil and throughout the Gulf of Mexico and in Lake Pontchartrain. It also traverses freshwater and can be found in the lower portions of coastal rivers and streams. Sleepers, members of the Family Eleotridae, appear similar to gobies. However, most species of sleepers are larger than gobies, and sleepers lack the fused pelvic fins characteristic of gobies. They are small in size, not reaching more than 10 inches in length, but most are much smaller. The fat sleeper is brown or tan in color, often with vertical bars of lighter coloration along the side of the body, a feature most pronounced in juveniles. One of the distinguishing characteristics is a series of dark bars radiating out from the eye in a ventral and posterior direction. Little information is known regarding the fat sleeper’s ecology and diet.
Clown Goby (Microgobius gulosus)
The clown goby is an attractive species that lives in inshore water habitats of estuaries, but also in the lower reaches of coastal rivers and streams. They have a very large range in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Basins, occurring from the east coast of Florida to Vera Cruz, Mexico. They are small in size, not reaching lengths greater than 3 inches. The clown goby possesses a large head and mouth, canine-like teeth on the outer edge of the lower jaw, elongated dorsal spines (2-5) in the first dorsal fin, and fused pelvic fins. Body coloration is olive to tan, and there is a lateral band from the opercle to the base of the caudal fin terminating in a caudal spot.
There is no charge for the poster, but we do have to charge for postage because our project funding has expired. Turtle Cove is the “distribution arm” of the project.
To request a poster, email Robert Moreau ([email protected]). In your email, please include the following:
Brief description of how you’ll use the poster for educational purposes
How you prefer to receive the poster–by mail (include your mailing address) or pick up in person
By Mail
Send your mailing address and a check for $6.00–the approximate cost to mail the poster. Please make the check is payable to “Friends of Turtle Cove” (in memo you can put c/o Turtle Cove programs). Our mailing address is Turtle Cove; Box 10585; Hammond, LA 70402. We will notify you via email when we receive the check, and you should expect to receive the poster in the mail shortly thereafter.
Pick Up In Person
You may pick up the poster at Southeastern Louisiana University or at our Galva Canal facility. If you want to pick up the poster, please arrange a pick-up time with our staff.
Under special circumstances, we may be able to make other arrangements.
Let us know your preference, and thanks for your interest in the fish poster.
References
Boschung, H. T. and R. L. Mayden. 2004. Fishes of Alabama.Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.
Douglas, N. H. 1974. Freshwater Fishes of Louisiana. Claitorand#8217;s Publishing Division, Baton Rouge, LA.
Hoese, H. D. and R. M. Moore. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico: Texas, Louisiana, and Adjacent Waters. Texas A andamp; M University Press, College Station, TX.
McEachran, J.D. and J. D. Fechhelm. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Vol. 1. Myxiniformes to Gasterosteiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX.
McEachran, J. D. and J. D. Fechhelm. 2005. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico. Vol. 2. Scorpaeniformes to Tetraodontiformes. University of Texas Press, Austin, TX.
Ross, S. T. 2001. The Inland Fishes of Mississippi. University Press of Mississippi, Jackson, MS.
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