Ptychocheilus

Pikeminnows, formerly squawfish, are cyprinid fish of the genus Ptychocheilus consisting of four species native to western North America. Voracious predators, they are considered an "undesirable" species in many waters, largely due to the species' perceived tendency to prey upon small trout and salmon. First known in western science by the common name Columbia River dace, the four species all became lumped under the offensive name "squawfish". In 1999, the American Fisheries Society adopted "pikeminnow" as the name it recommends, because Native Americans considered "squawfish" offensive.[1]

Ptychocheilus
Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cypriniformes
Family: Cyprinidae
Subfamily: Leuciscinae
Genus: Ptychocheilus
Agassiz, 1855
Type species
Ptychocheilus gracilis
Agassiz & Pickering, 1855
Species

See text

The Colorado pikeminnow, P. lucius, is the largest member of the genus, ranging from 4 to 9 lb (2 to 4 kg) in adult fish with occasional specimens up to 25 lb (11 kg). Historical and anecdotal reports of Colorado pikeminnows nearing 6 feet (1.8 m) in length and 80 lb (36 kg) in weight have been made. The species is near extinction in its native Colorado River Basin habitat, due to extensive habitat destruction.

A bounty is in place for northern pikeminnow greater than 9 in because they prey on small salmon. Anglers get $5 for the first 24 caught, $6 for 25-199, $8 for 200+, and $500 for tagged fish.

Species

The four recognized species are:[2]

  • Ptychocheilus grandis (Ayres, 1854) (Sacramento pikeminnow)
  • Ptychocheilus lucius Girard, 1856 (Colorado pikeminnow)
  • Ptychocheilus oregonensis (J. Richardson, 1836) (northern pikeminnow)
  • Ptychocheilus umpquae Snyder, 1908 (Umpqua pikeminnow)
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References
  1. Nelson, J.S., E.J. Crossman, H. Espinosa-Pérez, L.T. Findley, C.R. Gilbert, R.N. Lea, and J.D. Williams. 2004. Common and scientific names of fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. American Fisheries Society, Special Publication 29, Bethesda, Maryland. 386 p.
  2. Froese, Rainer and Pauly, Daniel, eds. (2018). Species of Ptychocheilus in FishBase. May 2018 version.


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