Sacramento Pikeminnow

By Bryce ManningMs. Reed

Wildlife Biology 4*

Classification

• Family: Cyprinidae

• Genus: Ptychocheilus

• Species: grandis

Description

• Usually measure in length at about 40 cm• Live up to about 9 years• This fish is NOT endangered• Is a Native Species• Have a flat head, forked tail, and a large

wide mouth• Have colored top halves of dark murky

greenish brown, lower half is a milky white

Habitat

• These fish live in freshwater• They are demersal which means to live in

the deepest part of a body of water• Live in a temperature range of about 39 to

35 degrees N

Diet

• These critters feed on anything from water insects to crustaceans, to frogs!

Life Cycle

• This fish lays approximately 15,000 eggs per cycle ……………………………………………………………………………

They live up to 9 years, Then they’re deadThey start reproducing at about age 3 to 4

History

• Used to be known as squawfish

• This fish was illegally brought in the Eel river around 1980, and then from there followed the central California waters to Pyramid Lake

In The News

• Short article of the Sacramento pikeminnow• http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2010/05/fish-1.html

• http://flyfishing.about.com/b/2010/05/21/sacramento-pikeminnow-squawfish-here-to-stay.htm

Fun Fact!

• Although the Sacramento Pikeminnow is harmless to humans, it is believed that they are declining the population of other fish such as salmon, steelhead, and trout.

Human Relations

• Humans use these fish for bait and minor commercial fisheries

Distrobution

• Areas in North America…SacramentoSan JoaquinPajaroSalinas RussianClear Lake and upper Pit River drainages in

California

Quiz Time!