A Slender Chub voucher. Photo by ©USFWS
A Slender Chub voucher. Photo by ©Conservation Fisheries Inc.
Fact File
Scientific Name: Erimystax cahni
Classification: Fish, Order Cypriniformes, Family Cyprinidae
Conservation Status:
- Federally Threatened in the U.S.
- State Threatened in Virginia
- Species of Greatest Conservation Need-Tier 1c on the Virginia Wildlife Action Plan
Size: Slender Chubs have been observed up to 3.75 inches in length
Life Span: Slender Chubs in Virginia can live for up to 4 years
Distribution
Within Virginia, the Slender Chub is endemic to the Clinch, Holston, and Powell rivers of the Upper Tennessee River Basin. They have the smallest range of any freshwater minnow in North America.
The Slender Chub has not been physically observed in decades, but environmental DNA for the species was detected by the USGS in 2024.
Identifying Characteristics
- Body and snout are elongated
- Mouth is inferior and barbels are present
- Dorsal fin origin is directly above or slightly posterior to that of the pelvic fins
- A small, singular black punctuation spanning above and below the lateral line; but somewhat masked by lateral stripe
Cyprinidae Characteristics and Anatomical Terms
Illustrations by ©Makayla DeVivo – DWR
Habitat
The Slender Chub requires swift current over gravel shoals in clean, unimpaired water.
Diet
The diet of the Slender Chub is dominated by insect larvae; specifically mayflies, caddisflies, and midges.
Reproduction
The Slender Chub reproduces in April and May.
Special Considerations
It is illegal to target Slender Chub by angling. The Slender Chub is listed as a threatened species under federal and Virginia law. It is a violation of state and federal law to harass, harm, or take any Slender Chub.
For the definitions of take, harass, and harm, see 4 VAC 15-20-140.
Last updated: July 21, 2025
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