There are at least six freshwater fish found only in the Tallapoosa River, including one discovered 15 years ago: the Tallapoosa Sculpin.

This fish is small and camouflaged in dusky browns and blacks to blend into the rocky river bottom. It was not separated as a species until 2007 because it looks very much like other common and widespread species found in the Tallapoosa River, like the Banded Sculpin.