| Family: |
Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Plagopterinae |
| Max. size: |
10 cm SL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 4 years |
| Environment: |
demersal; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
North America: Virgin and Gila River systems (both lower Colorado River drainage) in Utah, Nevada and Arizona, USA. Extant only in Gila River system. |
| Diagnosis: |
Anal soft rays: 9-10. Anal fin with 9-10 rays; ventral-fin origin before dorsal-fin origin; large, forked caudal fin; pharyngeal teeth 1,5-4,1; scales absent; wide, flat head; body compressed at rear; subterminal mouth on long, rounded snout; barbel at corner of mouth; fairly small eye high on head; dusky gray above; brilliant silver side, often with blue sheen, sometimes faint yellow at paired fin bases; breeding males with pink lower side (Ref. 86798). |
| Biology: |
Occurs in fast sandy runs and pools of small to medium rivers, usually in warm turbid water (Ref. 86798). Most commonly found in shallow, moderately flowing water over shifting sand substrates (Ref. 26186). Spawning in the Virgin river begins in April to May and continues through August (Ref. 26186). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 11 April 2012 (B1ab(i,ii,iii,v)) Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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