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Pupfishes—Family Cyprinodontidae
- Texas A&M University Press
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1 leon Springs Pupfish Cyprinodon bovinus Baird and Girard, 1853 RANGE: Leon Creek basin (Pecos County). HABITAT: Creeks with pools and the edges of spring-fed marshes. CHARACTERISTICS: (1) Mouth small and terminal. (2) Mandible with 2 pores. (3) Belly fully scaled. (4) Lateral region with dark brown blotches triangular or rectangular in shape; females with numerous small blotches on lower portion of lateral region. (5) Lateral line absent; 23–26 lateral series scales. DIMENSIONS: Up to 2.3 in (58 mm). FIN COUNTS: Anal soft fin rays 7; dorsal soft fin rays 9–12; pelvic soft fin rays 18–23. COLORATION: Dorsal region graybrown ; lateral region silver with dark brown blotches; ventral region white. Median fins dusky. Females with numerous small blotches on lower lateral region. COMMENTS: This species is listed by the state as endangered. Pupfishes—Family Cyprinodontidae Leon Springs pupfish, Cyprinodon bovinus, male, 1.9 in (48 mm) Leon Springs pupfish, Cyprinodon bovinus, female, 1.7 in (43 mm) 18 Red River Pupfish Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis Fowler, 1916 RANGE: Upper Brazos River and the Red River basin as well as the Canadian and Colorado river basins as a result of introductions. HABITAT: Headwaters, creeks, and rivers in pools and runs. CHARACTERISTICS: (1) Small, terminal mouth with tricuspid teeth. (2) Slender body; greatest body depth goes more than 2.5 times into standard length, most notably in adults. (3) Breast naked. (4) Belly naked. (5) Midlateral region with 8–11 dark triangular or rectangular blotches. (6) Lateral line absent; 25–29 lateral series scales. DIMENSIONS: Up to 2.3 in (58 mm). FIN COUNTS: Anal soft fin rays 8–9; dorsal soft fin rays 9. COLORATION: Dorsal region olive ; lateral region olive with 8–11 dark vertical blotches; ventral region white. Breeding males with dorsal region of head iridescent green. Median fins yellow to orange, anal fins with red border, pelvic fins bright orange, and pectoral fins yellow. Pupfishes—Family Cyprinodontidae Red River pupfish, Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilis, 2 in (51 mm) [44.197.114.92] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 15:09 GMT) 1 Sheepshead Minnow Cyprinodon variegatus Lacépède, 1809 RANGE: Mainly an estuarine species but can be found along coastal areas and will migrate upstream; the TransPecos region as well as the upper Colorado and San Antonio river basins are the result of introductions. HABITAT: Lakes, rivers, and creeks. CHARACTERISTICS: (1) Deep body; more slender body profile when found in lakes. (2) Dark, triangle-shaped blotches (5–8); may be absent. (3) Belly fully scaled. (4) Lateral line absent; 22–28 lateral series scales. (5) Large humeral scale. DIMENSIONS: Up to 3 in (76 mm). FIN COUNTS: Anal soft fin rays 9–11; dorsal soft fin rays 10–12. COLORATION: Dorsal region green to blue-gray; lateral region olivesilver with 5–8 dark, triangle-shaped bars; ventral region white. Fins have a clear to pale yellow coloration. Breeding males are blue dorsally, while the cheek, breast, and belly have a brassy coloration. Fins of breeding males are orange with the caudal fin having a black posterior margin. Pupfishes—Family Cyprinodontidae Sheepshead minnow, Cyprinodon variegatus, male, 1.7 in (43 mm) Sheepshead minnow, Cyprinodon variegatus, female, 1.6 in (41 mm) ...