What is the #1 endangered fish species?!?! Why? What can we do to help?

Question

What is the #1 endangered fish species?!?! Why? What can we do to help?

Answer 1

The "Devil's Hole Pupfish" is the most endangered fish species...especially considering they are ONLY found in a single location - Devil's Hole.

In 1996 there were only 38 adults to be counted.

"This short-lived species (approximately one year) has a natural high and low cycle, with the population in the fall being larger than that in the spring due to natural die-off during the winter months. The population of pupfish has never exceeded 553 individuals since population surveys began in 1972. From the late 1970s through 1996, the population appeared to be relatively stable with an average population size of 324 individuals. In 1997, the fall population surveys started to indicate a downward trend for unknown reasons. The population from 1997 to 2004 declined from an average of 275 individuals to 171 fish. In August and September 2004, two separate rainfall events deposited 1.66 cubic meters of sediment on the main spawning shelf, for a loss of approximately 54 percent of pupfish spawning habitat. Subsequent multi-agency initiated restoration efforts are believed to have restored much of this habitat on the shelf. The population continues to decline for unknown reasons. The adult population count conducted in November 2005 indicated a population of 84 individuals, and an April 2006 population count indicated an adult population of 38 individuals, the lowest count on record."

Here's the website where I got that information:

http://www.fws.gov/nevada/protected_spec...

Unfortunately, I sometimes wonder if the well-meaning scientists and biologists and such are actually doing more harm than good by entering into "their" world to count them and try to save them.

Answer 2

The Devil's Hole Pupfish is (one) of the most endangered fish species, but not at the hands of mankind. If it asexual and has been contained within limestone caverns and ponds, secluded from other environments. However, it is these two issues which have caused their demise- they cannot adapt and evolve.

Answer 3

The Mojave Chub (or some of the subspecies)!  I don't know what we can do to help, but here's an interesting article about them.

"The Phenotypic Plasticity of Death Valley's Pupfish.," American Scientist, January-February 2008, Volume 96.

There are also pupfish in Palm Springs.

Well, Acid Man, they're pretty tough little guys, but you make a good point about scientists messing with them.

Answer 4

According to the TV commercials it's my trouser trout.   Every year it keeps getting smaller, but with the help of a "magic" blue pill the trend could be reversed.

Answer 5

i dont know but i WANNA HELP!