Endangered Fish Species Spawning In Colorado River

By Stina Sieg
Published: Wednesday, June 18, 2014 - 4:34pm
Updated: Thursday, June 19, 2014 - 2:31pm
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(Courtesy of the National Park Service)
Image of Razorback sucker fish at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

The Razorback sucker, an endangered species of fish, has been found spawning in the Colorado River within the boundaries of the Grand Canyon National Park.

Nine Razorback suckers, named for a bony bump on their backs, were reintroduced to the area in March. The United States Department of the Interior officials said larval Razorback suckers were discovered in April and May. The department said this indicates a suitable habitat is available to support larger populations of the fish.

Razorback suckers were once common, but their population was obliterated by non-native species and alterations to their habitat. They only live in the Colorado River Basin, but they hadn’t been seen in the park since the 1990s.

Before this discovery, spawning and survival to adulthood for the fish had only been found around Lake Mead.