Humpback chub (Gila cypha) fish species and information / pictures of Humpback chub - Gila cypha

Humpback chub (Gila cypha) fish species information

Scientific Name
Gila cypha

Common Name
Humpback chub

Biology
Adults inhabit swift rocky runs and flowing pools. The hump at the back of the head directs the water current down on the Humpback chub's flat head and enables the fish to maintain position in the swift Colorado River.

Classification

Classified By

Miller, 1946

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Carps (Cypriniformes)

Family

Minnows or carps (Cyprinidae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: restricted to the middle river basin of the Green and Colorado rivers (in the Colorado River drainage) in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Arizona, USA. Formerly more common and widespread perhaps also in the lower Colorado River.

Range

42°N - 36°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

benthopelagic

Environment

Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

2.82 s.e. 0.32 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

38.0 cm

Common Length

25.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Unknown

Vulnerability

Moderate to high vulnerability (50 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (K=0.15-0.22)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (D2)