Get Desert Pupfish Recovery Plan - US Fish And Wildlife Service

The desert pupfish is a federally listed endangered species in the United States. The desert pupfish was once a common fish, but it is now extirpated from most of its historical natural range.

The desert pupfish is a federally listed endangered species in the United States. The desert pupfish was once a common fish, but it is now extirpated from most of its historical natural range.

As the climate became hotter, the lakes and rivers began drying up, leaving only isolated springs, pools and rivers. The pupfish became isolated in these little pockets of remaining water. Essentially desert springs became habitat islands.

As the climate became hotter, the lakes and rivers began drying up, leaving only isolated springs, pools and rivers. The pupfish became isolated in these little pockets of remaining water. Essentially desert springs became habitat islands.

The small, heat-tolerant pupfish was endemic to the outflows of a pair of hot springs in the Mojave Desert of California. Habitat modifications and the introduction of non-native species led to its extinction in about 1970.

The small, heat-tolerant pupfish was endemic to the outflows of a pair of hot springs in the Mojave Desert of California. Habitat modifications and the introduction of non-native species led to its extinction in about 1970.

Pupfish are territorial but do live in loose shoals (a group of fish). Hearty fish that can survive in water up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit and six times saltier than the ocean. They may become dormant in winter, burrowing into the muddy bottom.

Pupfish are territorial but do live in loose shoals (a group of fish). Hearty fish that can survive in water up to 113 degrees Fahrenheit and six times saltier than the ocean. They may become dormant in winter, burrowing into the muddy bottom.

CDFW is currently working with staff from other agencies to monitor all pupfish habitats, and restore targeted habitats (refuges or tributaries) via eradication or control of non-native species.

CDFW is currently working with staff from other agencies to monitor all pupfish habitats, and restore targeted habitats (refuges or tributaries) via eradication or control of non-native species.

Devils Hole was formed around 60,000 years ago, with some researchers assuming the pupfish has existed in isolation for 10,000–20,000 years. How it colonized Devils Hole is unknown; hypotheses include arriving via subterranean waters or over dry land.

Devils Hole was formed around 60,000 years ago, with some researchers assuming the pupfish has existed in isolation for 10,000–20,000 years. How it colonized Devils Hole is unknown; hypotheses include arriving via subterranean waters or over dry land.

HABITAT: Desert pupfish are adapted to desert environments and have been reported to survive water temperatures in excess of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, extremely low oxygen levels, salinity levels more than twice that of the ocean, and daily temperature fluctuations of up to 45 degrees.

HABITAT: Desert pupfish are adapted to desert environments and have been reported to survive water temperatures in excess of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, extremely low oxygen levels, salinity levels more than twice that of the ocean, and daily temperature fluctuations of up to 45 degrees.

Tecopa pupfishExtinct (1979) (IUCN 3.1)Presumed Extinct (1979) (NatureServe)Scientific classificationDomain:Eukaryota12 more rows

Tecopa pupfishExtinct (1979) (IUCN 3.1)Presumed Extinct (1979) (NatureServe)Scientific classificationDomain:Eukaryota12 more rows

Desert pupfish can also survive rapid changes in salinity and daily water temperature fluctuations of 72° F to 80° F and often escape stressors by diving into the substrate.

Desert pupfish can also survive rapid changes in salinity and daily water temperature fluctuations of 72° F to 80° F and often escape stressors by diving into the substrate.

Tecopa pupfishExtinct (1979) (IUCN 3.1)Presumed Extinct (1979) (NatureServe)Scientific classificationDomain:Eukaryota12 more rows

Desert pupfish can also survive rapid changes in salinity and daily water temperature fluctuations of 72° F to 80° F and often escape stressors by diving into the substrate.