Roundtail chub facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roundtail chub |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Gila
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| Species: |
robusta
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The roundtail chub (Gila robusta) is a type of fish that lives in rivers. It belongs to the carp family, called cyprinids. This fish is found in the southwestern part of North America.
It lives in the Colorado River area, which includes the Gila River and other smaller rivers. The roundtail chub is part of a group of similar fish.
Contents
What Does the Roundtail Chub Look Like?
The roundtail chub has a body that is wider near its front, especially before its dorsal fin (the fin on its back). Its body then gets narrower towards its tail.
Its forehead dips in a little, and its mouth is quite big. The mouth doesn't reach as far back as its eye. The snout (nose area) hangs a bit over its mouth. Its tail is shaped like a deep "V".
The fish is usually grayish-brown on top and lighter underneath. During the time they lay eggs, male roundtail chubs can get red-orange cheeks and fins.
Roundtail chubs can grow to be about 49 centimeters (about 19 inches) long. However, they usually grow to be around 25 to 30 centimeters (10 to 12 inches). Some have been seen as long as 43 centimeters (17 inches).
People sometimes say the roundtail chub looks like a "trout." This is because it has a large mouth with a black line around its lower lip. But unlike trout, the roundtail chub does not have an extra small fin called an adipose fin.
Where Do Roundtail Chubs Live?
The roundtail chub lives in the Colorado River basin. This means it can be found from the very start of the river all the way to where it ends. You can find them in Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, California, and parts of northwest Mexico. They also live in other rivers in northwest Mexico.
This fish can look a bit different depending on where it lives. Because of this, scientists used to think there were many different types of roundtail chubs. But then they found fish that were in-between these types.
Some of the recognized types of roundtail chubs include:
- Gila robusta grahami
- Gila robusta jordani - found in small streams along the White River (Nevada)
- Gila robusta robusta - found in small rivers
- Gila robusta seminuda
Sadly, the roundtail chub has disappeared from the Zuni and San Francisco Rivers in New Mexico.
In Arizona, you can find them in many smaller rivers and streams. These include Fossil Creek, Oak Creek, Burro Creek, Francis Creek, Big Sandy River, Santa Maria River, Boulder Creek, Trout Creek, Sycamore Creek, Beaverhead Springs, and all along the Verde River. They also live in the Gila River and the Rio Yaqui.
What Do Roundtail Chubs Eat?
The roundtail chub is a very active hunter. It eats a lot of different things. Adult chubs mainly eat insects that live in water or on land. They also eat other fish and sometimes even algae (a type of plant-like organism).
Younger roundtail chubs eat smaller insects, tiny crustaceans (like small shrimp), and algae.
Why Are Roundtail Chubs Important?
The Arizona Game and Fish Department considers the roundtail chub a sport fish. This means people like to catch them for fun. Anglers (people who fish) say these fish put up a strong fight. The meat is described as "firm, white and very mild tasting." It does have some small bones, but these can be removed before cooking.
Protecting the Roundtail Chub
The number of roundtail chubs is going down. This is mainly because their homes (rivers and streams) are changing or disappearing. Also, other fish that are not native to these areas sometimes eat them or compete with them for food.
Even though the populations in the Salt and Verde Rivers were doing well ten years ago, their numbers have been dropping quickly.
To help the roundtail chub, scientists are doing more research. They want to find out why the fish are disappearing so fast. They are also counting the fish to see how many are left. Groups like the Arizona Game and Fish and the US Forest Service are working on these efforts.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is looking into making the roundtail chub an endangered species. This would give it special protection under the Endangered Species Act.
See also
In Spanish: Gila robusta para niños
