California
Cyprinodon macularius  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | |
| Type of Animal: | Fishes |
|---|---|
| Class: | Osteichthyes |
| Order: | Cyprinodontiformes |
| Family: | Cyprinodontidae |
| Federal Status: | Endangered |
| State Status: | |
| Occurrence: | |
| Habitat: | Springs,Marshes,Lakes,Creeks |
| Description: | Pupfishes are small fishes, only a few inches in length, that have deep bodies and highly arched backs. Their mouths typically upturned to allow them to easily eat off the surface of the water. Of the five pupfish species native to California, four occur in waters managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Desert pupfish is an endangered species that occurs in the Colorado River drainage. Their diet largely consists of small invertebrates and algae. This species is the biggest of all of California pupfish, growing up to 3 inches in length. The breeding season begins in April and extends through October. During this time, most male pupfishes turn a bright or metallic-blue color. The male desert pupfish actually turns to a light blue color. The tail fin and the narrow part of the body just in front of the tail fin turn to a yellow or orange color. They become very aggressive during the breeding season and are very protective of their breeding territory. Males that do not breed in a particular year will swim in schools with the females. The schools swim over the territories of the breeding males, and when a female in attracted to a male she will leave the school to spawn. Unlike most fishes, pupfishes only lay one egg with each spawning but she may spawn many times in one season. The pupfish species that live in hot spring habitats mature quickly and are able to spawn at one month old, but the desert pupfish lives in slightly cooler water and does not reach sexual maturity until its second year. Despite their tiny size, pupfishes are amazing animals that can withstand conditions that would kill most other fishes. Pupfishes typically live in desert areas, and as a result are exposed to high temperatures. During the summer months the average temperature of the water is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but at times it can get as hot as 116 degrees Fahrenheit! These fishes, along with only a few species of desert lizards, are the only vertebrates that can survive such extreme heat. Pupfishes are also able to survive temperatures as cold as 32 degrees Fahrenheit. These small fishes can also tolerate water with a salt content that is more than 4 times the salt content of ocean water, and they can survive in water with very little oxygen. |
| Effort: | |
| References: | McGinnis, S.M. 1984. Freshwater Fishes of California. Page, L.M., Burr B.M. 1991. Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes. |
| Other Sites: | |
| Field Office(s): | Palm Springs |