Nevada Fish & Wildlife Office
Pacific Southwest Region

White River springfish
( Crenichthys baileyi baileyi )

Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Goodeidae
Genus: Crenichthys
Species: baileyi
Subspecies: baileyi
Length: 2-3 inches
Lifespan:
Feed: filamentous algae and small aquatic
invertebrates
Habitat: various warm springs in the White River drainage of eastern Nevada
 

Official Status:
Endangered
 

Life History:
White River springfish is a member of the Cyprinodontidae family, averaging 1.2 inches in length. The White River springfish is one of two subspecies of C. baileyi , the other Hiko White River springfish ( C. b. grandis ), restricted to the Pahranagat Valley of Lincoln County.

Very little information is available on the life history and habitat requirements of the White River springfish and the Hiko White River springfish. However, research has been conducted on other Crenichthys subspecies. Because of the relatedness between the subspecies, it is assumed that White River springfish and Hiko White River springfish have similar life histories and comparable habitat needs.
 

Distribution and Habitat:

  C. baileyi are endemic to the remnant waters of the White River system in eastern Nevada. White River springfish is only known to occur in Ash Springs, located north of Alamo, Nevada. White River springfish is found throughout the Ash Springs pool with infrequent occurrences in the outflow stream. Ash Springs has a surface area less than 2 acres, and is used by the public as a swimming facility and principally occupied by exotic fishes. Historically, White River springfish inhabited Ash Springs and its outflow stream and were considered common in these areas.

Adult White River springfish are found at varying depths, from 1.3 to 5.6 feet, but prefer deeper water (3.6 feet). Juvenile White River springfish will also use all depths, but generally occur in shallower (2.1 feet) water and are more vertically dispersed. Larval White River springfish restrict their movement to the top of the water column (0 to 2 feet deep) and are found most frequently at 1.1 feet. All age classes of White River springfish are present in areas of calm water.

Five subspecies occur throughout the pluvial White River drainage system in southeastern Nevada. This subspecies, Moapa White River springfish, is endemic to Clark County and occurs only in and around five warm-water springs in the upper Muddy River.
 

Threats:
 

failing springs and non-native fish
 

Actions / Current Information:

 
07/09/2007
  		• Programmatic Safe harbor Agreement for Voluntary Enhancement/Restoration Activities Benefitting White River Springfish, Pahranagat Roundtail Chub and Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Within Pahranagat Valley, Lincoln County, Nevada
     
  		• Attachment 1: Pahranagat Valley Map
     
  		• Attachment 2: Landowner Cooperative Agreement Template
     
  		• Attachment 3: Landowner Certificate of Inclusion Template
    Last updated: September 28, 2012