Green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus, removal from Horse Camp Canyon, a tributary to Aravaipa Creek, Graham and Pinal Counties, Arizona.

Authors: Rosalee Reese, Heidi B. Blasius, Jeff Conn

Year: 2013 (xlv)

Abstract

Aravaipa Creek, located in southeastern Arizona, is considered one of the premiere native fish streams in the state, supporting seven native fishes, roundtail chub, Gila robusta, speckled dace, Rhinichthys osculus, longfin dace, Agosia chrysogaster, loach minnow, Tiaroga cobitis, Spikedace, Meda fulgida, Sonora sucker, Catostomus insignis, and desert sucker, Pantosteus clarki. Three nonnative fish species, yellow bullhead, Ameiurus natalis, red shiner, Cyprinella lutrensis, and green sunfish, Lepomis cyanellus, inhabit the mainstem and overlap with native fishes in the west (lower) end of Aravaipa Creek. In addition, green sunfish thrive in several perennial pools in Horse Camp Canyon, a tributary to Aravaipa Creek. This population is the only known source of green sunfish into Aravaipa Creek during runoff events. Since 2010, the Bureau of Land Management, Safford Field Office and partners have mechanically removed 2,596 green sunfish from Horse Camp Canyon. For the long-term conservation of native fishes in Aravaipa it is imperative to eliminate all sources of nonnative fishes from the watershed.