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<br />000660 <br /> <br />FAST FACTS <br />Humpback chub (Gila cypha) <br /> <br /> <br />C Joseph R. Tomelleri <br /> <br />Distinguishing Features: <br />,. Gray or olive colored back. silver sides and white belly <br />}> Spawning adults are tinged with rosy-red gill coverings and fins <br />}> Long snout that protrudes over the lower jaw; prominent hump on back <br />behind head; large. streamlined fins <br />}> Generally 14 to 16 inches long but have been known to reach 20 inches <br /> <br />Specifics: <br />}> Thought to have evolved 3 to 5 million years ago <br />}> Have been known to live nearly 30 years <br />}> Capable of spawning at an age of 2 to 3 years; spawns in spring and early <br />summer <br />}> Feeds primarily on insects. plankton, and plant matter <br />}> Natural habitat is in canyon bound reaches of the Colorado River Basin <br /> <br />Status: <br />}> Listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as of 1964 <br />}> Given full protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1973 <br />}> Endangered under Colorado law as of 1976 <br />}> Listed as protected under Utah law as of 1973 <br />).> 6 known existing populations <br />}> Populations appear stable but small <br /> <br />July 2000 <br />