![]() The Colorado pikeminnow, razorback sucker, humpback chub and bonytail chub are endangered fish species that once thrived in the Colorado River system. However, due to changes in their habitat, including dams, water allocation, and other blockades, have made it difficult for a lot of these species to survive. Furthermore, because of the introduction of non-native fish species, the little resources that the fish have to survive on are now being contested, making it difficult life indeed for the fish. (Save the Colorado)
Over Allocation and drought have resulted in a loss of water within the Colorado River, and dams, diversions, and other barriers have cause the river flow to be cut by a third or more, and in some places, the river has completely dried up. (CBS News) The fish of the Colorado River have in general been stunted in growth and have had to adapt to the current conditions. In the PreDambrian, pike minnows ranged over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) of river and grew to 5 feet (1.5 meters), but they are now as stunted in range as they are in growth. The humpback chub has had to adapt, using neuromast chemoreceptors on its head, allowing the species to smell (rather than see) faraway food in silty water. The torpedo-shaped and camouflage-backed bonytail chub, rarest of all the native fish, disappeared from the Lower Basin after the construction of Hoover Dam. (National Geographic) Big Horned Sheep used to be more abundant in the River area, but have recently stabilized in their population. They certainly are less numerous as before, but they have managed to find a way to thrive in the desert areas. Most large mammals in the area are not under threat, and are being reintroduced slowly to the area if they ever were wiped out. Some notable animals that rely on the River include the Bison, the Mountain Lion, the Mule Deer, and the Elk. (National Park Service) |
The Colorado Pikeminnow used to grow to nearly 6 feet long and weigh an average of 80 pounds. Today however, the Pikeminnow only grows up to 2-3 feet in length. They were once abundant in number in the Colorado River, yet are now considered endangered.
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The Razorback Sucker is a strange looking fish, and the only member of its genus Xyrauchen. The Razorback Sucker used to be widespread and abundant, but the changes of water flow and destruction of their habitat have affected their spawning cycle.
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Traditionally, the Humpback Chub lived in swift and turbulent currents. However, due to the drying up of the river as well as the changes in water flow, only 5 populations of Humpback Chubs still exist.
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