Sacramento pikeminnow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacramento pikeminnow |
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The Sacramento pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis) is a large fish found in California, United States. It belongs to the cyprinid family, which includes carps and minnows. This fish is naturally found in several river systems, including the Los Angeles River, Sacramento-San Joaquin, Pajaro-Salinas, Russian River, Clear Lake, and the upper Pit River. It is a predator, meaning it hunts and eats other animals. Sacramento pikeminnows can grow very long, up to about 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) in total length.
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About the Sacramento Pikeminnow
The Sacramento pikeminnow was once called the Sacramento squawfish. It is a big fish that lives in freshwater. These fish are known for being strong swimmers and good hunters. They play an important role in the ecosystems where they live.
Where They Live
Sacramento pikeminnows are native to many rivers and lakes in California. This means they have lived in these places naturally for a very long time. They need healthy rivers and streams to survive. These areas provide them with food and safe places to live and reproduce.
What They Eat
Sacramento pikeminnows are predators. When they are young, they eat many different small things they find in the water. As they grow bigger, especially after they reach about 15 centimeters (6 inches) long, they start to eat other fish. They particularly like to eat salmonid species, which include salmon and trout.
Invasive Species Concerns
Sometimes, animals are moved by people to new places where they don't naturally belong. When this happens, they can become an invasive species. This means they can harm the new environment.
Introduction to New Rivers
The Sacramento pikeminnow has been introduced to some rivers where it is not native. For example, it was brought to the Salt River. In the 1970s, it was also introduced to the Eel River watershed. This happened because people fishing used the pikeminnow as bait, and some escaped into the river.
Impact on Other Fish
In places like the Eel River, the Sacramento pikeminnow is considered an invasive species. This is because it eats a lot of the native fish, especially young salmon and trout. Since it's new to these areas, it often doesn't have many natural enemies to control its population. This can put a lot of pressure on endangered salmonid species, making it harder for them to survive.
Natural Controls
Even though they are invasive in some areas, some native animals can help control the pikeminnow population. For example, river otter populations have grown in some areas. These otters hunt and eat pikeminnows, which helps to balance the ecosystem a bit. However, the pikeminnows still pose a challenge to the survival of other fish.
