Pahrump poolfish
Rare Nevada fish surviving only in transplanted populations
The Pahrump poolfish is a small endangered fish native to Nevada. It was nearly wiped out by habitat loss and now lives in artificial refuges. Scientists moved it from its drying springs to save the species from extinction.
- Females live up to 10 years, males up to 7
- Only surviving member of genus Empetrichthys
- Transplanted to save it from extinct wild habitat
- Lacks pelvic fins and has rear-set dorsal fin
What it is
This small fish belongs to the splitfin family. It grows to about 7 cm in length. Females are larger than males. The body is greenish on top and silvery green below. Males develop a blue tint when breeding. It lacks pelvic fins entirely. The dorsal and anal fins sit far back on the body. The head is flattened at the front with a wide mouth. The lower jaw extends further than the upper one.
Where it lives
It originally lived in the Pahrump Valley near the California border. The native habitat consisted of alkaline springs and marshes. Water temperatures stayed around 24 degrees Celsius in some pools. The fish can survive under ice in winter. It no longer exists in its original wild home. Current populations live in transplanted sites across Nevada. One planned refuge is at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.
How it lives
Adults are more active at night while juveniles move during the day. They eat both plant and animal matter. This omnivorous diet helps them survive in varied conditions. They can tolerate a broad range of water temperatures. Flooding and vandalism have harmed their new homes. Introduced species like mosquitofish and crawfish pose threats. Groundwater pumping remains a danger to their survival.
Breeding and life cycle
Spawning happens most often in spring but can occur year-round if conditions allow. Males show a blue colour during this period. Females live longer than males, reaching up to ten years. Males typically live up to seven years. A balanced sex ratio is important for managing captive groups. The fish reproduces successfully in its artificial refuges.
Fish and people
Scientists rescued the fish before it vanished from the wild. They moved specimens to three different pools in Nevada. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service published a recovery plan in 1980. Officials intervened to stop dredging that would have killed the fish. Habitat maintenance is sometimes required to keep populations stable. Only one population was considered stable as of 2004.
Status and threats
It is listed as endangered by federal authorities. Two subspecies went extinct in the 1950s due to dried springs. The third subspecies is the only one left. It was removed from Manse Spring in 1975 after goldfish arrived and water levels dropped. Threats include vandalism, invasive species, and unreliable water supplies. The species remains in imminent danger of extinction.
Questions people ask about Pahrump poolfish
Where does the Pahrump poolfish live now?
It no longer lives in its native springs. Scientists moved it to three transplanted populations in Nevada. These artificial habitats require occasional maintenance to remain suitable for the fish.
Why did it disappear from its original home?
Groundwater pumping dried up its spring. Introduced goldfish competed for resources. Vegetation removal also damaged the habitat. These factors combined to extirpate the fish from Manse Spring in 1975.
How big does this fish get?
It is a small-bodied fish reaching a maximum length of about 7 cm. Females are significantly larger than males. This size difference is important for managing breeding populations.
Good reading and sources
- Empetrichthys latos on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Empetrichthys latos", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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