In life, there are many ways that your legacy can outlive you, but one of the most common — if no less flattering — is to have someone, or something, named in your honor.

In this episode, we’ll meet the scientific namesake of the Laurel Dace, a hard-luck minnow found in just a pair of streams on a ridge about an hour’s drive north of the Aquarium.

Fifty years before the Laurel Dace would earn the unfortunate title as one of North America’s top 10 most-imperiled fishes, it was just a slightly different looking dace caught in Charlie Saylor’s collection net. The scientist who later formally described the Laurel Dace named this beautifully plucky fish in Saylor’s honor: Chrosomus saylori.

This discussion touches on Saylor’s history with the Laurel Dace, including his thoughts on its unfortunate decline and subsequent embracement by the residents of a nearby community, Spring City, Tennessee.

On May 16, 2026 — just a few days after this episode’s release — the second Laurel Dace Day celebration will take place in Spring City. In addition to races and other activities, guests will be able to learn about the Laurel Dace and our efforts along with our partners to save it. Details about the event and pre-registration for those races are available on our website at https://www.tnaqua.org/events/laurel-dace-day

Episode cast

• Casey Phillips, host, senior communications specialist, namesake of no one
• Charlie Saylor, Tennessee Valley Authority ichthyologist (retired)
• Dr. Bernie Kuhajda, Tennessee Aquarium aquatic conservation biologist