| Family: |
Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Laviniinae |
| Max. size: |
45 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; freshwater |
| Distribution: |
North America: Columbia River drainage in Washington, Oregon and Idaho, south in Klamath and upper Pit River (Sacramento River drainage) and interior drainages of Nevada and California to Mohave River in south California, USA. Distinctive subspecies were recognized: Gila bicolor snyderi (protected) in Owens River, California; Gila bicolor mohavensis (protected) in Mojave River, California; Gila bicolor bicolor in Klamath River system in Oregon and California; Gila bicolor obesa, a stream and spring-inhabiting form; and G. bicolor pectinifer, a lake-inhabiting form, both in Lake Lahontan basin in Nevada. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal soft rays: 7-8. Siphateles bicolor can be distinguished by the following characters: lateral line with 41-64 scales; dorsal fin usually with 8 rays; anal fin with 7-8 rays; pharyngeal teeth 0,5-5,0; deep, compressed body; dorsal-fin origin over pelvic- fin origin; fairly deep caudal peduncle; small, rounded fins; small, terminal to slightly subterminal mouth; does not extend to eye; dusky olive to dark green above; brassy brown side, often mottled in adult; silver white to yellow below; clear to dusky olive fins; young with dusky stripe along side; large individuals may have yellow to copper fins with pink, red, or orange bases, red-orange lower side (Ref. 86798). |
| Biology: |
Inhabits lakes and quiet, vegetated, mud or sand-bottomed pools of headwaters, creeks and small to large rivers (Ref. 86798). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 February 2012 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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