Pecos pupfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pecos pupfish |
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The Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis) is a small fish that lives in the Pecos River. It is a type of pupfish and belongs to the family Cyprinodontidae. This special fish is found only in the Pecos River area. This includes parts of eastern New Mexico and western Texas in the United States.
Where the Pecos Pupfish Lives
The Pecos pupfish used to live all over the Pecos River. But now, its homes are getting smaller. This is because many parts of its natural habitat have been removed. The fish now lives in separate, small groups.
After another fish, the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus), was introduced, the Pecos pupfish became even more isolated. Today, you can mostly find pure Pecos pupfish in scattered sinkholes. They also live in man-made ponds and marshy areas. Their natural homes include springs, sinkholes, and pools in streams.
The Sheepshead Minnow Problem
The sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus) likely arrived in the early 1980s. People probably introduced it by dumping their fishing bait. Soon after, the sheepshead minnow started breeding with the Pecos pupfish. This created new fish called "hybrids."
By 1985, these hybrids had spread widely. They were found in about half of the areas where the Pecos pupfish used to live. Scientists think these hybrids became so successful because they are stronger. They also grow faster than the pure Pecos pupfish.
Female Pecos pupfish have even been seen choosing to mate with the hybrids. This makes it hard to protect the pure Pecos pupfish. Scientists are working to stop the sheepshead minnow from entering areas where pure Pecos pupfish still live.
