Stories of Cabeceiras

The pumpkinseed, Lepomis gibbosus, originates from North America. The Águeda River Interpretation Centre describes it as a non-native species with a deep, laterally flattened body, living in still water but also in rivers. During breeding, males may make it harder for juveniles of native species to reach bank shelters. It was recorded in Cavez in 2016–2017; that record does not measure its local impact.

Bluish bands from the head to the flanks and a dark spot at the edge of the gill cover are part of the description. Juveniles have a simpler pattern on a greenish or olive background. Age also changes appearance.

The menu includes insects, crustaceans, gastropods and fish larvae. This variety helps show that its diet is not limited to one prey. The profile also distinguishes lentic environments, such as reservoirs, from lotic environments, such as rivers and streams: the species can use both. Geographical origin, presence in a survey and effects on other species are different kinds of information.

At station 22, the 2016–2017 report recorded six fish: barbo-comum, boga-do-Norte, escalo-do-Norte, bordalo, góbio and perca-sol, using their Portuguese common names. The station profile places it in Cavez. These results document that survey; they are neither a current inventory nor directions to fishing spots.

The six names open six ways of looking at the river. The barbel leads to migration within fresh water; the nase to differences between young and adult fish; the chub to scale patterns. The bordalo and gudgeon help explore diet. The pumpkinseed introduces geographical origin. Open the cards to choose a clue and reach the species explanation.

Sampling surveys and biological profiles serve different purposes. The survey documents fish recorded at that place and time. The profiles explain general species characteristics, without demonstrating that all these behaviours were observed in Cavez. Read both together while keeping that distinction.