Poeciliopsis occidentalis
Gila Topminnow
Federal:
Endangered
NS
G3
Collection Details
Specimens
Photos
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Records
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned Fishes)
Cyprinodontiformes
Poeciliidae (Livebearers)
Poeciliopsis
Poeciliopsis occidentalis (Gila Topminnow)
Description
This species account was compiled from
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Characters
Body shape: fusiform / normal.
Distribution
North America: in Gila River system in New Mexico and Arizona and streams south to western Mexico (Ref. 5723). Occurs naturally in the Colorado and Yaqui river basins at altitudes ranging from sea level to 1500 m. Note that high altitude occurrences are most commonly associated with outflows and springs.
Habitat Associations
Freshwater. benthopelagic.
Biology
Formerly occurred from Frisco Hot Spring, New Mexico, to near the mouth of the Gila River: it was perhaps more widespread in spring-fed creeks and marshes of southern Arizona between 900 and 1500 m above sea level. Inhabits vegetated springs and margins, pools and backwaters of creeks and small to medium rivers. Usually found in shallow, warm water.
Max length: 6.0 cm TL; common length: 3.5 cm TL; max age: 1 years.
Reproductive mode: dioecism; fertilization: internal (oviduct); bearers (internal live bearers).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC), assessed 2018-03-20. Resilience: High (tmax=1).
References
Rinne, J.N. and W.L. Minckley (1991) Native fishes of arid lands: a dwindling resource of the desert southwest. Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-206. Ft. Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, 45 p.
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr (1991) A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston. 432 p.
Wischnath, L. (1993) Atlas of livebearers of the world. T.F.H. Publications, Inc., United States of America. 336 p.
Comments On Poeciliopsis occidentalis