Featured Species
Rio Grande
The primary species of interest on the Rio Grande is the Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus). This species is a pelagic broadcast spawner that grows to a maximum size of about 9 cm (3.5”). They currently occupy less than 10% of their historic range, and are now only found in the Rio Grande River from Cochiti Pueblo, downstream to the in-stream flow of Elephant Butte Reservoir. Projects include coordination and implementation of Rio Grande silvery minnow rescue and salvage, studies on the effectiveness of fish rescue and fish health during drying, coordination of hatchery augmentation.
San Juan River
Charismatic megafauna, like pandas and elephants, capture the affection of people around the world. In many ways, the endangered Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) could be similarly classified. This long-lived and large-bodied minnow (yes, minnow!) historically grew up to 6 feet in length and remains the largest minnow in North America. This apex predator of the Colorado Basin has a broad head and wide mouth, which enables it to consume large prey. If you look closely, you can see the wide smile on the Colorado pikeminnow held by Fish Biologist, Lyle Thomas. Hopefully, it too gains your affection.
Gila River Basin
We work with partners to conserve, restore, and enhance native Gila River Basin fishes including Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae), loach minnow (Rhinichthys cobitis), spikedace (Meda fulgida), and Chihuahua chub (Gila nigrescens). The Gila trout is a beautiful golden colored trout, and is one of the rarest trout species in the United States. Due in part to our office’s efforts, the Gila trout was downlisted to threatened in 2006. This downlisting has allowed several streams to open as catch-and-release fisheries and the Gila trout is now a part of the Western Native Trout Challenge. You can bet this trout is on many anglers’ bucket lists!
Pecos River
The eastern plains of New Mexico are part of the North American Great Plains. Rivers in this region provide one of the last safe habitats for a unique fish assemblage and these fish are largely unknown to the public. The Pecos River is the last and best stronghold for Pecos bluntnose shiner (Notropis simus pecosensis), Rio Grande shiner (Notropis jemezanus) and speckled chub (Macrhybopsis aestivalis). Two of these species, the Pecos bluntnose shiner and Rio Grande shiner, are found nowhere else, and are highly dependent on flow management in the Pecos River. This requires a careful balance between meeting the needs of people and those of the species in the river.
Outside the mainstem Pecos River, the Roswell Artesian Basin in southeastern New Mexico has a variety of unique off-river aquatic habitats that are home to equally unique fish species. Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis), Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis), and greenthroat darter (Etheostoma lepidum), are found in sink holes, springs, and spring runs in this unique part of the state. Many of these habitats are protected by Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, directly east of Roswell, New Mexico. While most of the country knows about the city of Roswell, New Mexico for a mythical UFO crash, it should be known for its location in a naturally recharging aquifer that supplies habitat for a diversity of fish species.