Desert dace facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Desert dace |
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The desert dace (Eremichthys acros) is a rare type of fish. It belongs to a family called cyprinids, which includes minnows and carps. This special fish is only found in the warm springs and creeks of Soldier Meadow in western Humboldt County, Nevada, USA.
It's the only species in its group, called the genus Eremichthys. This means it's a very unique fish! The desert dace can live in really warm water, up to about 38 °C (100 °F), which is quite hot for a fish.
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About the Desert Dace
What Does It Look Like?
The desert dace is a small fish, usually less than 7.7 cm (about 3 inches) long. It has an olive green color on its back and a shiny silver belly. Its sides have a slightly spotted look and can flash with yellow colors. You might also see some dark spots and a deep green line along its side.
Where Does It Live?
This fish lives only in a few specific warm springs and creeks in Nevada. These unique habitats are very important for its survival.
What Does It Eat?
The desert dace mostly eats small creatures without backbones, like tiny insects. It also enjoys eating some algae, which are like tiny water plants.
Why Is It Vulnerable?
Since 1996, the desert dace has been listed as a vulnerable species. This means it's at risk of becoming endangered. There are a few reasons for this:
- Limited Home: It only lives in a very small area. If something happens to its home, it has nowhere else to go.
- Special Habitat: It's adapted to live in very specific warm waters. Changes to these waters can harm it.
- New Fish: Other fish, like goldfish and largemouth bass, have been put into a nearby reservoir. These new fish can compete with the desert dace for food or even eat them.
- Human Activity: The warm springs where they live are popular for bathing. Too much human activity can disturb their habitat.
It's important to protect the desert dace and its unique home so this special fish can continue to thrive.
See also
In Spanish: Eremichthys acros para niños
Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2006). "Eremichthys acros" in FishBase. March 2006 version.
