7621

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7621
• Author: Woodling, J.
• Title: Colorado's Little Fish
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: A Guide to the Minnows and Other Lesser Known Fishes in the State of Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

16. a. Lower lips have fleshy lateral lobes,
mouth suckerlike.
SUCKERMOUTH MINNOW
Phenacobius mirabilis, seepage 34.
b. Lower lips without fleshy lateral
lobes, mouth not suckerlike.
Go to Number 17.
Ventral view of the Ventral view of the
mouth of the mouth of the
suckermouth minnow. Plains minnow.
17.a. Lateral line scales less than 50.
Go to Number 18.
b. Lateral line scales more than 50.
Go to number 19.
18.a. The mouth is small, the jaw extends
only back to an imaginary line
drawn vertically down from the
nostrils. Intestine long, with many
coils. Lining of body cavity is black.
Genus Hybognathus, seepage 36.
b. Mouth somewhat larger. The jaw
extends back further, usually to an
imaginary line drawn vertically
down from the anterior edge of the
eye. Intestine is short, with one
single s-shaped loop.
Genus Notropis, see page 40.
19.a. Lateral line incomplete.
Genus Phoxinus, seepage 21.
b. Lateral line complete.
Go to Number 20.
20.a. Lateral line scales less than 65. The
interradial membranes pigmented.
UTAH CHUB Gila atraria
Reported from the Green River, this
species is not discussed in this
book.
b. Lateral line scales more than 65.
The interradial membranes are not
pigmented.
Go to Number 21.
21.a. The head is long and slender. The
mouth is large, extending back to
an imaginary line drawn vertically
down from the pupil of the eye.
Young have a black spot at the rear
edge of caudal peduncle.
COLORADO SQUAWFISH
Ptychochellus lucius (in part), see
page 25.
b. The head is relatively short. The
mouth is smaller, ending at, or in
front, of an imaginary line drawn
vertically down from the anterior
edge of the eye. Young do not have
a black spot at edge of caudal
peduncle.
Genus Gila, see page 27.
Family Cypt nidae Geims Cyprinus
CARP
Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus)
A large, deep-bodied minnow; head
wedge-shaped; large subterminal mouth,
two barbels at each side of mouth; long
dorsal fin with 18-20 rays, and one spine
anteriorly; large scales, 25-39 in lateral
line; scales sometimes absent (leather
carp) or enlarged and scattered (mirror
carp).
Carp are brassy in color and can grow
to large size. The Colorado fishing record
is 22 pounds, caught at Cherry Creek
Reservoir in Denver.
Range: Native to Europe, carp were
introduced by settlers who admired the
food quality of the species. Initial intro-
duction in the United States spanned the
period from 1831-1896 (Scott and
Crossman 1973). Carp are now found in
warmwater lakes and rivers throughout
the United States and Canada. Initial intro-
ductions in Colorado were in 1879 (Wilt-
zius 1981). Currently carp are found in
most warmwater rivers and impound-
ments throughout the state and in some
cases the species has become established
in coldwater mountain lakes. Elevenmile
Reservoir in South Park, at an elevation
of 8651 feet, has a thriving population
of carp.
Habitat: Carp are able to tolerate and
thrive in a variety of habitats but prefer
quiet, shallow waters of rivers and lakes.
An opportunistic feeder, carp will suck
up a mouthful of bottom mud, expel it
and then take back any available food
items. Any aquatic invertebrate is taken,
as are various plant tissues. Schools of
Adult carp.
carp feeding in shallows impact other
species by causing increased turbidity,
uprooting of vegetation needed by other
fish species, and disrupting the spawning
of other species. Carp spawn over a period
of several weeks during spring and sum-
mer. Two or more males and a female
move into shallow water and begin
splashing and thrashing around, often
with backs exposed to the air. Quite a
commotion results. The adhesive, fertil-
ized eggs, are abandoned, some to settle
Colorado's Little Fish 18