Freshwater Fish

Freshwater fish are important components of the marsh system. They fill niches in the aquatic food web ranging from primary consumers of vegetation and detritus, to intermediate level predators on aquatic insects and crustacean, to top level carnivores such as the Florida Gar (Lepisosteus platyrhincus) and other piscivores. Some fish, in turn, are prey for a myriad number of predators and scavengers. The rapid life cycles of small Everglades fish enable them to respond rapidly to environmental changes, so that fish may serve as indicators of changes in habitat quality. The Everglades fish and their life histories also provide insights into the ecology, zoology, geographical and evolutionary processes that have shaped the Everglades marsh system.

This deep water slough is a perfect habitat in which freshwater Everglades fish breed. During the rainy season water levels are high and fish here have almost unlimited resources in which they can proliferate.

[Biology][Endangered Species]