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PODCAST

Fish of the Week!

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Fish enthusiasts Katrina Liebich and Guy Eroh journey across America on a quest to live with, live from, discover and enjoy ALL THE FISH: big and small, common and rare, beautiful and downright strange. Guests from all walks of life help dig into the latest science and bring their perspectives about fishing and how fish are woven into the fabric of communities and cultures. Listeners walk away from each episode with practical information about how to connect with and conserve our amazing, finned

science nature

All Episodes

46:06

Yellowfin Shiner!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/10/05

Meet the gem of the Georgia Piedmont, the Yellowfin Shiner! On this episode we learn all about the color-popping spawning habits of Yellowfins and other species in the Hydrophlox genus, their association with nest-building species like Bluehead Chubs and stonerollers, and where to spot them. You'll also get tips on successfully keeping native fish in aquaria and how to make friendships with other fish nerds. Our guests are Michael Wolfe with the North American Native Fishes Association and Bryson

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43:26

Kala/Bluespine Unicornfish!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/09/28

Meet the Kala, also known as the Bluespine Unicornfish! From the horn on its head to its blue spines and tail tassels, this leathery-skinned fish is a wonder to behold and a culturally-important species in Hawaii. You'll learn about the limu-eating habits of this fish and what is known about its age and growth, the practice of "pono" science, how management informed by lawai'a, how to be a good visitor within Hawaii's ahupua'a's, and what is still to be learned about this species! Our guest, Maria

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34:59

The Peppered Shiner!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/09/21

Get to know the Peppered Shiner: a beautiful little endemic fish that holds a special seat in the waters of Arkansas and Oklahoma, particularly in Arkansas' Saline River where it can still be reliably found. We discuss the habits and preferences of this fish, its place in shoaling communities and where it lives, and what people can do to help ensure it doesn't blink out. We also learn about the challenges of aging juvenile minnows and what questions still need to be answered. This week's guest is

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35:22

Bay Anchovy!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/09/14

Get to know the humble and overlooked little Bay Anchovy: one of the most abundant and ecologically vital fish in most mid-Atlantic estuaries. This fish is on the menu for everyone from Striped Bass to Bluefish, sea birds to marine mammals. Is it also on pizza? You'll have to listen to find out. Our guest, Brian Boutin from our Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, discusses the importance of this fish and coastal estuaries to Americans and myriad fish and wildlife.

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40:54

Golden Mahseer: Revered River Runner

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/09/07

Get to know the Golden Mahseer, a large freshwater fish native to fast-flowing rivers in the Himalayan region that feels the watershed-wide impacts of events like the recent catastrophic debris flow and flash flood in Nepal (this episode was recorded just prior to the catastrophic glacial collapse). We dive into the value of this fish and why it's important to think globally when it comes to learning about migratory species. Our guest Julie Claussen is a scientist and science communicator.

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31:51

King Mox: Greater Redhorse!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/08/31

Get to know the biggest member of the genus Moxostoma: the Greater Redhorse! This impressive native sucker species is accessible, fun to catch, and not intimidating to handle. We discuss how sight-fishing and focusing on the up-close details and beauty of fish can inspire art and offer an escape from the daily grind. Our guest Devon is an avid angler, fish artist, and Greater Redhorse fan. If you like this episode you might also like:S2:E15 - Ugiidatli (Sicklefin Redhorse)S5: E25 - Shorthead

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39:39

Borax Lake Chub!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/08/24

Get to know an extremely tough desert fish found only in one lake in southeastern Oregon. You'll learn about its amazing ability to withstand both hot temperatures and high levels of arsenic, the history of the lake and its conservation, and what questions are still left unanswered. Our guest is Fred Monzyk with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Native Fish Program.

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40:36

Greater Amberjack!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/08/17

Get to know the reef donkey! This big, powerful fish will "slap you around a bit and give you some fish rash." Katrina and Guy are joined by guests Mischa Schutz and Creed Branham, who share their knowledge about the ecology and movement patterns of this fish, fishing tips, unexpected culinary tricks, what it's like to go through the scientific peer review process as a graduate student, and more! On deck: Borax Lake ChubDive Deeper: The Greater Amberjack Count: Studying the greater amberjack in the

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37:42

Hawaii's Goatfishes!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/08/10

Get to know the goatfishes and their special place in Hawaiian culture. From keiki fishing for ʻōama with cane poles to the deeper meaning behind the endemic kūmū, we explore the efforts across the Hawaiian Archipelago to connect with and conserve these wonderful fish. Our guest is Jake Reichard with Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources.

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38:01

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout: Exquisite Explorer

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/08/03

Meet one of the few fish that's managed to cross America's Continental Divide: the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout! On this episode we explore the variation in ecology and morphology of this beautiful fish across its range, its history in Yellowstone National Park and efforts to move it by wagon and train, how its been impacted by nonnative trout species, where to catch it, and the value it holds within the Wind River Indian Reservation. We are joined by fish biologist Mike Mazur with our Lander Fish

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39:48

Atlantic Tripletail: Buoy Bombshell

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/07/27

We want you to imagine a souped up tilapia the size of a tire, hanging by a buoy. Head to Mississippi to fall in love with the Atlantic Tripletail, a fish of many names ("sleepy fish" and "buoy fish") that can deliver a powerful kick on the end of your line. Katrina and Guy are joined by Trevor Moncrief and Eric Gigli with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Topics include where to find this fish, what's known about its behavior and preferences, fishing strategies, how it's managed, and

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35:15

Olympic Mudminnow: Quintessential Washingtonian Fish

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/07/20

Meet Washington State's only freshwater endemic fish: the Olympic Mudminnow! Despite being found nowhere else in the world, many questions about this quintessential Washingtonian species remain unanswered! On this episode, you'll get to know the habits, preferences, and close relatives of this beautiful little ambush predator. Ecologist Lauren Kuehne is our guest.

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31:39

Neon Tetra!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/07/13

How well do you REALLY know one of the most popular fish the USA? What's the science behind its neon blue stripe? Where does it come from? What conditions does it prefer? Katrina and Guy get curious about this freshwater aquarium fish that Americans love so much.

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43:04

The Butterfly Kingfish!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/07/06

Meet the Butterfly Kingfish AKA Butterfly Mackerel: the hottest fish you've never heard of! This not-well-studied fish is the sole species in the monotypic genus Gasterochisma, and the oldest lineage of Scombridae (the mackerel, tuna, and bonito family). Katrina, Guy, and guest Fernando Melendez Vazquez from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City dig into the details about this large, endothermic oddball and the broader topic of warm-bloodedness in fishes.

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37:18

Redbreast Sunfish!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/06/29

Get to know the Redbreast Sunfish and catch up on some fan mail, where Katrina and Guy read listener's fish requests and feedback! Learn how to tell this fish apart from other sunfish species, where to find Redbreasts, and gain some excellent fishing tips.

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43:46

Weed Shiner: A Comeback Story!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/06/23

Get to know the minnow that "has the most normal looking head of any minnow" - the Weed Shiner! There's a lot of mystery surrounding this overlooked native fish, which, in addition to being a tasty treat for sportfish like Largemouth Bass and Bluegill, can tell us a lot about the success of habitat restoration efforts. Guest Ben Patschull from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) tells an inspiring comeback story about this fish in "Pool 8" of the Upper Mississippi River.

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35:47

Gizzard Shad!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/06/15

Get to know the Gizzard Shad, a native fish that eats mud, feeds sportfish, and has something in common with birds! On this episode we delve into the ecology of this fish (including competition with invasive carp and positive interactions with native mussels), its nuanced role in nutrient cycling, and how the public perceives and interacts with Gizzard Shad. We've even got some math for folks who like working with numbers and want to optimize decision-making in fisheries. Our guests are Mike Vanni

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34:45

Pahrump Poolfish: A Unique Nevada Native

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/06/08

Get to know the only surviving member of genus Empetrichthys, the desert-dwelling Pahrump Poolfish! This Nevada native is not nearly as well-known as its neighbor, the Devils Hole Pupfish, but similarly is endangered and endemic to isolated, highly specific desert habitat. In six seasons of Fish of the Week, this is the FIRST species we've covered in the family Goodeidae! Our guests are fish biologists Kevin Guadalupe from the Nevada Department of Wildlife's Native Fish and Amphibian Program and

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37:26

Beachgoing Blacktip Sharks: Movin' North

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/06/01

Get to know the habits of the Blacktip Shark and why they aggregate so close to shore. Just in time for summer, Katrina and Guy visit with shark expert Stephen Kajiura from Florida Atlantic University about shifting baselines and why these sharks are adjusting their migration farther north up the East Coast. We discuss how scientists study these sharks, what drives their migration, beachgoing safety tips, fishing considerations, and what it's like to be a shark biologist. If you like sharks, you

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35:04

Atacama Trench Snailfishes VS Abyssal Plains Assfishes!

Fish of the Week! ·

2026/05/25

The scene is set: two neighbors with very different ways of living. One is large, long-lived, free-to-roam, blimp-like. The other: small, shorter-lived, confined, butter-like. These are the people's fish, occupying international waters and places on earth that are quite impossible for us to truly experience from the perspectives of these amazingly adapted, beautiful fish. Get to know the "albatross" of the abyssal plain, the unfortunately (or fortunately?) named Robust Assfish, AND the Atacama

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