Banded Sculpin | Cottus carolinae

Status: IUCN: Least Concern

Threats: Impoundments (What do these terms mean?)

Native Range: Southeastern United States and into the Ozarks // Upland streams in Mississippi River basin from upper Tennessee River drainage, VA across KY, TN, s. IN, and s. IL to Ozark Mt. drainages, s. MO, se. KS, n. AR, and ne. OK; south to n. AL; upland and lowland streams in Alabama River drainage, GA, TN, and AL.

Spawning Habitat Preferences: Late winter to early spring spawners in creeks and rivers with cool water and moderate flow; lay clutches of eggs under medium-large sized rocks

CFI Status: Propagated at CFI in 2009 as mussel hosts; 2020-2022 for restoration into formerly dewatered sections of the Cheoah River in North Carolina. (What do these terms mean?)

In Partnership With: North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality - Cheoah Fund; North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources - Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Center