Fish are more secure in the California desert

Authors: Parmenter, Steve*1, Hughson, Debra2, Hohman, Judy3, Boyd, Casey4, Keeney, Sharon1, Buckmaster, Nick

Year: 2015 (xlvii)

Abstract

A Desert Fish Habitat Partnership-funded project increased Shoshone Pupfish, Cyprinodon shoshone, habitat from a 25 m2 to 2400m2, including 141 m of springbrook. Mohave Tui Chubs, Siphateles bicolor mohavensis, established in Morningstar Mine Lake (Mojave National Preserve) in 2012 have reproduced annually. Mosquitofish have been eliminated from the second-to-last habitat of Long Valley Speckled Dace, Rhinichthys osculus ssp, by temporary diversion of spring flow during winter. Owens Pupfish, Cyprinodon radiosus, are extant in five locations; no population has been lost for 12 years and none have been added since 2005. The largest pupfish population at BLM Spring has persisted for 11 years; the longest period at this location since initial establishment in 1970. Near-annual removal of largemouth bass and aquarium fishes has been necessary to maintain the record. Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi, were salvaged from ByDay Creek as it dried up and were distributed to Silver and Wolf Creeks (Mono County). Owens Speckled Dace, Rhinichthys osculus ssp, distribution and life history studies have been initiated and are the subject of a separate talk.