Two small minnows, spikedace and loach minnow have declined in abundance and distribution in the last 100 years.  Spikedace use to inhabit flowing water in mid-to-low elevation streams throughout the Gila River basin in Arizona and New Mexico. By the late 1990s, they were considered present in three locations in Arizona (Verde River, Eagle Creek, and Aravaipa Creek) and two in New Mexico (upper Gila River and Gila River forks). However, populations in two Arizona streams are so rare, that by 2009, none had been found in the Verde River in a decade and none had been found in Eagle Creek in two decades.  

Loach minnow previously inhabited many of the same streams in the Gila River basin as spikedace, but they prefer rocky riffles. In the late 1990s, loach minnow were considered present in five areas in Arizona and three in New Mexico.  By 2009, loach minnow were still commonly found at three of the locations in Arizona, but had not been found in Eagle Creek in over a decade or in the North Fork East Fork Black River in five years.

Because of the dwindling populations of these two species, Arizona Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in coordination with other agencies decided to bring some fish into captivity to establish refuge populations and breeding stock.  Spikedace from three of the five populations and loach minnow from three of the eight populations have been brought to Bubbling Ponds Hatchery Research Facility to achieve these goals. 

Since 2007, Arizona Game and Fish Department and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in cooperation with other federal agencies and non-governmental organizations have worked to increase the number of populations of both species by stocking fish produced at the hatchery into four streams within their historic range.

For more information contact:

Tony Robinson

Gila River Basin Native Fishes Conservation Program Manager

Arizona Game and Fish Department

5000 W. Carefree Highway

Phoenix, AZ 85086-5000.
Phone: (623) 236-7376           E-mail: trobinson@azgfd.gov