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White River Springfish
Crenichthys baileyi
by
Dustin Stonebraker
The Crenichthys Baileyi, commonly known as the White River Springfish, is described as a small (2 to 2.5 inch) silver to white species, with double rows of spots on the sides which may be connected. Breeding males are said to exhibit more intense coloration than females, with mid-dorsal markings becoming very dark (almost black) contrasting with light, sometimes yellow, sides above the fused spots. Lack of ventral fins and bicuspid teeth distinguish this genus from other members of cypinodontidae. This is one of the two known egg laying Goodeids in the United States. Some argue this species should be considered a killifish.
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Baileyi, as the name suggests, is native to the White River, Nevada. More specific the Critical Habitat has been designated in Lincoln County, Nevada at Ash Springs and associated outflows. The headwater pool of Ash Spring is a thermal system within the Pahranagat Valley of eastern Nevada, located in the northern Mohave Desert. Mats of filamentous algae, Potamogeton sp., Najas marina, and Charea zeylanica are present, and provide an important source of cover for the springfish. The substrate within the spring pool and outflow stream is sand and silt with some areas of gravel. Observations of closely related subspecies indicate courting and breeding behavior occur in and around dense aquatic vegetation and eggs are probably attached to the vegetation.
Specific environmental parameters required by the White River Springfish have not been officially described. However, a friend of mine in the UK tells me they are best kept at 68 to 72 degrees and can withstand temperatures to 96 degrees, which makes this one of the warmest water tolerating Goodeids in existence. The temperature and pH within Ash Spring have been variously reported to range from 90 to 96 degrees in the spring pool and 87 to 93 degrees in the outflow.
The baileyi has been designated as Endangered pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Further, it is protected by the Lacey Act (P.L. 97-79, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) which makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase within the US or its territories. For this reason, it is NON-EXISTANT in the United States hobby (legally), and very rare in the Europe Hobby. It is considered an endangered species because of its reduced, and extremely restricted distribution, and small population size. The principle factor responsible for reductions in this springfish population is competition and predation by exotic fishes including carp, convict cichlid, sailfin molly, shortfin molly, and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). In addition, co-introduction of the parasite copepod Lernea may be responsible for reducing populations. Habitat alteration, in the form of channelization of the spring outflow and water diversion to enhance local agriculture, has also been a major factor in the reduction of available springfish habitat.
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