Shorthead Redhorse - Current Management

Current Management

The Shorthead Redhorse is widely abundant across its range and has one of the largest ranges for a sucker. This species is not endangered or threatened and is not currently at risk. There is no current management plan for the Shorthead Redhorse. It is not often a prized fish for anglers because it does not get very big. And while the Shorthead Redhorse is said to be one of the better tasting fish, there are so many little bones throughout the meat that if you did catch one big enough to eat, the meat would not be worth eating. The meat also spoils rapidly in warm temperatures making it hard to transport. Shorthead Redhorse play a positive role in their ecosystems as prey for larger game fish. They can also be used for bait if caught small enough. Humans impact the population the most through chemical contamination of their habitat. Bioaccumulation of chemical is common in fish that feed near the benthic zone, like the Shorthead Redhorse. Domestic pollutants have as much negative effect on Shorthead Redhorse as industrial pollutants do. Pollution can also enter waterways through runoff from agricultural fields or cattle farms. To prevent this, farmers should be required to maintain a larger buffer zone around streams, or they should not be allowed to use pesticides that are harmful to water ecosystem. All domestic and industrial waste should be put through waste treatment and possibly a heavier waste treatment procedure than what is in effect now. For example, we should come up with a treatment for domestic waste that will remove hormones added by oral contraceptives. Currently, there is no way to remove these chemicals.