Species Name: Poeciliopsis occidentalis

Range: Currently, populations are found in several localities in the Gila River system of Mexico and Arizona.

Habitat: Occupy headwater springs and vegetated margins and backwater areas of streams and rivers. They can withstand waters from near freezing to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Diet: Omnivorous: broad spectrum diet including crustaceans and vegetable material, but will also feed on aquatic insect larvae, especially mosquitoes, when abundant.

Breeding: The breeding season is April through November, but they can reproduce year-round in thermally stable springs. During breeding, some males become dark and exhibit aggressive breeding behavior. The typical brood consists of over 1000 young. The typical life span is one year.

Status: In 1967, the Gila Topminnow was listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered. At one time, the Gila Topminnow was the most common fish found in the Gila River basin. Its numbers have been greatly reduced due to the introduction of other fish species, especially the mosquito fish.

Photo: Taken at Scottsdale Community College on April 5, 2007.  For more photos click on camara icon.

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