The tropics ain't seen nuthin yet... Yeah, Bammer...

Alabama has some of the most diverse fish in the nation. And many are more colorful than you might imagine. The two minnows shown are the Rainbow shiner (Notropis chrosomus) and the Bluenose shiner (Pteronotropis welaka). I bet you wouldn't dare use those pretty little things as bait...

The brim, as they are called colloquially here in Alabama, are longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis). This is a male in full color, and his mate during breeding season. Most females choose good mates based on the color of the red belly, and the size of that "ear flap". Males make great nests and guard the eggs from predators.

And the bugger with the two dorsal fins, is the famous Alabama darter (Etheostoma ramseyi). He is only found in Alabama and has beautiful colors during mating season that rival that of most tropical fishes...

Just showing my love for these Alabamer Fishies... This state is number two in fish diversity (behind Hawaii) and number one in amphibian diversity... a post for another time...