Fish of the Week!

Meet the Butterfly Kingfish AKA Butterfly Mackerel: the hottest fish you've never heard of! This not-well-studied fish is the sole species in the monotypic genus Gasterochisma, and the oldest lineage of Scombridae (the mackerel, tuna, and bonito family). Katrina, Guy, and guest Fernando Melendez Vazquez from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City dig into the details about this large, endothermic oddball and the broader topic of warm-bloodedness in fishes.

Get to know the Redbreast Sunfish and catch up on some fan mail, where Katrina and Guy read listener's fish requests and feedback! Learn how to tell this fish apart from other sunfish species, where to find Redbreasts, and gain some excellent fishing tips.

Get to know the minnow that "has the most normal looking head of any minnow" - the Weed Shiner! There's a lot of mystery surrounding this overlooked native fish, which, in addition to being a tasty treat for sportfish like Largemouth Bass and Bluegill, can tell us a lot about the success of habitat restoration efforts. Guest Ben Patschull from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) tells an inspiring comeback story about this fish in "Pool 8" of the Upper Mississippi River.

Get to know the Gizzard Shad, a native fish that eats mud, feeds sportfish, and has something in common with birds! On this episode we delve into the ecology of this fish (including competition with invasive carp and positive interactions with native mussels), its nuanced role in nutrient cycling, and how the public perceives and interacts with Gizzard Shad. We've even got some math for folks who like working with numbers and want to optimize decision-making in fisheries. Our guests are Mike Vanni from Miami University and Richie Erickson from the USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Science Center.

Get to know the only surviving member of genus Empetrichthys, the desert-dwelling Pahrump Poolfish! This Nevada native is not nearly as well-known as its neighbor, the Devils Hole Pupfish, but similarly is endangered and endemic to isolated, highly specific desert habitat. In six seasons of Fish of the Week, this is the FIRST species we've covered in the family Goodeidae! Our guests are fish biologists Kevin Guadalupe from the Nevada Department of Wildlife's Native Fish and Amphibian Program and James Harter from our Southern Nevada Fish and Wildlife Office. You'll get a slice of history, hear about a creative and collaborative conservation approach, and leave with hope for the future.
You might also enjoy these episodes:
S1:E46 - Devils Hole Pupfish: A Tiny Oasis
S2:E14 - Rio Grande Suckers
S2:E30 - Long Valley Speckled Dace: Cryptic Desert Fish
S4:E39 - Owens Pupfish: Blue California Jewel
S5:E19 - Rio Grande Silvery Minnow