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<br />2 <br /> <br />(larvae or juveniles) has proven impractical because of predation <br />losses (Marsh 1987, Marsh and Brooks 1989). Thus, despite re- <br />introductions totalling nearly 20 million fish into the Colorado <br />River and Gila River basin of Arizona, survival has been <br />disappointingly low (Hendrickson 1992). Grow-out of fish to <br />relativelypredator-irnrnune, sub-adult size (30 cm or greater total <br />length [TL]) before stocking may be a means to increase stocking <br />success (Minckley et ale 1991). However, fish of such size require <br />substantial space, which often is unavailable at hatcheries and <br />other facilities that must deal with the suite of imperiled fishes <br />of the region. Further, long-distance transport of larger fish <br />becomes problematic because relatively few individuals can be <br />safely hauled (the primary hatchery involved in razorback sucker <br />propagation is the U.S. Fish and wildlife [FWS] Dexter National <br />Fish Hatchery and Technology Center [NFH], New Mexico, which is <br />more than 1200 km from the Colorado River). <br /> <br />In lieu of hatchery production and grow-out, on-site (Lake Mohave) <br />conduct of these acti vi ties has been explored. Attractions of this <br />alternative include local availability of adult razorback sucker <br />brood fish, negligible transport distances for any fish produced, <br />flexibility in time of harvest, and opportunities for in situ <br />study. <br />