Sacramento pikeminnow
The Sacramento pikeminnow, belonging to the genus Ptychocheilus, is a large minnow species native to the Sacramento River system in California and parts of the Russian rivers and Monterey Bay streams. These fish can grow up to three feet long and weigh as much as 10 pounds, featuring distinct dusky black scales on their backs and silvery scales on their bellies. Sacramento pikeminnows are carnivorous, primarily feeding on smaller fish, frogs, and even small rodents, using their strong throats to crush prey as they lack teeth. They play a role in the ecosystem by threatening populations of anadromous fish such as steelhead and rainbow trout, while also serving as prey for various birds, mammals, and reptiles.
Spawning occurs in the spring when females release between 15,000 to 40,000 eggs, which hatch within 4 to 7 days. Young fish, known as fry, develop independently and reach breeding maturity after three to four years. The lifespan of Sacramento pikeminnows can extend up to 16 years. Their populations face threats from fishing activities, as they are popular among anglers for sport. Understanding the Sacramento pikeminnow's ecological role and life cycle can provide insights into the health of the aquatic ecosystems they inhabit.
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Subject Terms
Sacramento pikeminnow
The closest relative of the Sacramento pikeminnow is the Colorado pikeminnow, the largest minnow in North America.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Genus: Ptychocheilus
Species: Grandis
Sacramento pikeminnow, formerly known as squawfish, are extremely large minnows. They may grow up to three feet (one meter) long and weigh as much as 10 pounds (4 1/2 kilograms). Their long bodies have dusky black scales on their backs and silvery scales on their bellies.
Like many other fish, Sacramento pikeminnow process oxygen from the water through the gills on the sides of their bodies. Since they do not have lungs and cannot process oxygen from the air, like humans, Sacramento pikeminnow must get the oxygen they need from the water. They do this by taking water into their mouths, using the oxygen from the water, and pushing the waste chemicals out through their gills.
As their name suggests, Sacramento pikeminnow inhabit the Sacramento rivers of California. They are also found in the Russian rivers and Monterey Bay streams. Sacramento pikeminnow are closely related to America's largest minnow, the Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), which inhabits the Colorado River.
Sacramento pikeminnow move through the Sacramento rivers by the movements of their fins. While their dorsal and anal, or back and belly, fins keep them balanced in the water, their caudal, or tail, and pectoral, or side, fins move back and forth and from side to side working to propel these fish through the water.
Sacramento pikeminnow are carnivorous fish. Carnivorous means animals that eat only meat. Sacramento pikeminnow live on a diet of smaller fish. Since they do not have teeth, they crush these fish with their strong throats. They also eat frogs, small rodents, and stoneflies. They threaten populations of anadromous steelhead or rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).
Like many other fish, Sacramento pikeminnow are preyed upon by birds, mammals, and reptiles. Humans also threaten the lives of Sacramento pikeminnow. Many fishermen enjoy the fight of catching Sacramento pikeminnow. These fish are lured by flies, strike plugs, and minnows.
In the spring, Sacramento pikeminnow swim to lake shores and upstream to deposit their eggs. When the female releases 15,000 to 40,000 eggs and the male fertilizes them, it is known as spawning. Spawning fish may develop orange-reddish tails. The eggs hatch after 4 to 7 days. Young Sacramento pikeminnow, or fry, mature independently. They begin breeding after three to four years or after they reach a length of 7 3/4 to 10 inches (200 to 250 millimeters).
The life span of Sacramento pikeminnow is up to 16 years.
Bibliography
"Sacramento Pikeminnow." California Fish Website, University of California, calfish.ucdavis.edu/location/?ds=694&uid=113. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
"Ptychocheilus Grandis (Ayres, 1854)." Fish Base, fishbase.mnhn.fr/summary/ptychocheilus-grandis. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.
"Ptychocheilus Grandis." Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, invasions.si.edu/nemesis/species‗summary/163524. Accessed 15 Apr. 2024.