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| This type of pupfish grows to lengths up to 22mm. The top
of its head is flat with the mouth situated low under it. Each tooth has
a shape resembling the foot of a cat, the point of the tooth being the cat's
claw. Males are colored with sides of irridescent metallic blue which changes
to metallic green or golden in different light. The fish is whiter toward
the anal area, and the opercles are irridescent with a violet sheen on the
upper posterior. Females are generally more yellow than the males.
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Breeding:
- Little is known of the pupfish's breeding habits except that breeding
occurs almost continuously.
Diet:
- The Devil's pupfish is primarily an algae eater. Remains of flatworms
and beetle larva found with algae may be accidentally ingested while cropping
from the rocks.
Conservation Status:
- By decree of the United States Supreme Court, pumping water out of Devil's
Hole must allow sufficient habitat to sustain a population of pupfish.
Range:
- Devil's Hole, Ash Meadows, Nye County, Nevada. Water thermal stability
is evident with fluctuations in the amount of dissolved oxygen being due
to water circulation from subterranean inlets and outlets, and algae growing
on rocks.
Distribution Map
References
- Paxton, John R., & Eschmeyer, William N. 1994. Encyclopedia of fishes.
Academia Press, San Diego, California.
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