Species Profile: Central Stoneroller

Photo credit: Isaac Szabo

Central Stoneroller  (Campostoma anomala)

This is one of many species that build the pebble mounds (spawning nests) you may have seen in the spring. During this time, the body of the male becomes completely covered with bony tubercles (“horns”).  We currently have way more Stonerollers than Nature intended.

Stonerollers feed on algae, which requires sunlight. Think of it as pasture. When we remove shade from our streams we exchange forest for pasture, to the benefit of stonerollers and the detriment of many other species.

Species profile provided by Jason Meador, Mainspring