WSP10940

• File Number: 8240.200.10.A
• Description: Colorado River Threatened-Endangered - UCRBRIP - Program Organization-Mission - Workplans
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 9/7/2001
• Author: DOI-FWS
• Title: Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program - Program Update - 09-07-01
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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000661

FAST FACTS
Bonytail (Gila elegans)

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o Joseph R. Tomelleri

Distinguishing Features:
)> Dark gray or olive colored back. silver sides and white belly
)> Small head. large fins, streamlined body that becomes pencil-thin before the
tail
)> Generally 16 to 18 inches long but have been known to reach 22 inches

Specifics:
)> Thought to have evolved 3 to 5 million years ago
)> Have been known to live nearly 50 years
r Capable of spavvning at an age of 5 to 7 years; spavvns in spring and early
summer
)> Feeds on insects and plant matter
)> Natural habitat is thought to be in large rivers of the Colorado River Basin
particularly canyon bound reaches

Status:
)> Given full protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1980; listed as
endangered
)> Endangered under Colorado law as of 1976
)> Listed as protected under Utah law as of 1974
)> Rarest of the four endangered fish
)> No known reproducing populations in the wild
)> Populations are being reintroduced through stocking in the Colorado. Green
and Yampa rivers

July 2000