Survey of the First Recently Discovered Population of Acantharchus pomotis (Mud Sunfish) in Alabama

Steven J. Rider¹ and Travis R. Powell²

¹Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, River and Stream Fisheries Program, 1507 Karley Drive, Opelika, AL 36801.²Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, River and Stream Fisheries Program, 3608 Fairground Road, Montgomery, AL 36110.*Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 19, Issue 2 (2020): 347–354

Abstract
We collected 14 Acantharchus pomotis (Mud Sunfish) from the first recently discovered population in Beaver Dam Creek, Tombigbee River drainage, Washington County, AL, in 2011. This effort brings the total number of Mud Sunfish collected in Alabama to 17 specimens since 2000. We captured the specimens using trash-can traps, and Mud Sunfish was the most abundant fish species collected; however, catch-per-unit-effort was low (0.02 fish/trap-night). Male and female Mud Sunfish varied in size from 86 to 125 mm and 90 to 124 mm total length, respectively. Squamation indicated the Alabama population is more closely aligned with Florida and Gulf Slope populations. Currently, Beaver Dam Creek is home to the only known population of Mud Sunfish in Alabama.

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