Summary of Pond Construction of a Holding Pond for the Endangered Yaqui Catfish.

Authors: Chuck Minckley, Alton Livingstone

Year: 2018

Abstract

The Desert Fishes Council and North American Native Fish Association provided funding for the development of a holding pond for the Yaqui catfish, Ictalurus pricei, as part of an ongoing effort to recover this species in Mexico by UNISON and interested persons. The pond was constructed in July 2018 is 50 X 30 meters. The eastern third is shallow (.05 – 1 m); the western side is 2-m deep. Water is supplied by a continuously flowing artesian well located to the north. The pond is on San Bernardino Ranch, Sonora, Mexico, about 25 km east of Douglas, Arizona – Agua Prieta, Sonora. It is immediately across the International Border from San Bernardino-Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuge. Its purpose is to hold this species temporarily until they can be moved to a hatchery. The Yaqui Catfish is the only described species of catfish native to the United States, west of the continental divide. Yaqui catfish is functionally extinct in the United States, and experiencing widespread population declines in Mexico. It is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in the United States and is subject to special protection by SEMRNAT in Mexico. The pond also contains a population of Yaqui Topminnow, Poeciliopsis sonoriensis, and Yaqui Chub, Gila purpurea. Aquatic vegetation consists of Potomogeton sp., Typha sp., Schoenoplectus sp., and Najas sp.