bonytail chub

The Bonytail chub (Gila elegans) is one of the most endangered fish species in the United States, native to the Colorado River Basin. It is characterized by a slender, elongated body covered in small, hard, bony plates, and its prominent, downturned mouth. Historically, they inhabited a variety of riverine habitats, including mainstem rivers, tributaries, and backwaters, but their range has significantly declined. Today, the Bonytail chub is facing extinction, considered extirpated in the wild for the most part and the few remaining adults in hatcheries. The main threats to this species include habitat alteration due to dams and water diversions, as well as competition and predation by non-native fish species introduced into their habitat. Conservation efforts are focused on habitat restoration and captive breeding programs aiming to create a self-sustainable population.