The Fishes of the Santa Fe River System

Abstract

This paper correlates the fish populations of the Santa Fe River with such physical aspects as its underground channel, substantial subterranean drainage, and low chlorinity. Recorded from the river and its tributaries are 60 species of fishes representing 21 families and 13 orders. Pertinent life history notes are given for many of the species, including one species nearly endemic to the river, Micropterus notius.

The derivation of the ichthyofauna is suggested; 25 species comprise an element widespread to the north, 18 to the southeast; 8 species are typically Floridian, and 8 species are from marine waters. Euryhaline species in the Santa Fe are generally restricted to the portion of the river downstream from the underground channel. A new term is proposed, dihaline, to describe those species that maintain breeding populations in both fresh and marine waters.