Sharpnose and Smalleye Shiners

Photographs courtesy of Chad Thomas/Texas State University - San Marcos

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is responsible for identifying those species that are in need of protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service will be deciding whether to list and designate critical habitat for the sharpnose (Notropis oxyrhynchus) and smalleye (Notropis buccula) shiners. It is believed the range for these shiners is currently restricted to the Brazos River above Possum Kingdom Lake, although they historically occurred within the lower reach of the Brazos River. The sharpnose shiner may also have occurred naturally in the Wichita River within the Red River Basin. Both species were also accidentally introduced to central Texas’ Colorado River Basin, outside their native range, where it is possible they have been subsequently extirpated.

The smalleye and sharpnose shiners have been candidates for listing under the Act since 2002. A candidate is a species “. . . for which we have on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to support a proposal to list as endangered or threatened, but is precluded by higher priority listing actions.” The listing work on these candidates is being initiated now as part of a multi-district litigation settlement, where the Service agreed to a work schedule that includes addressing the listing decision for candidate species throughout the Nation. Our most recent review (view the 2011 Candidate Notice of Review) of the status of these species indicated that the shiners warrant listing under the Act because they face a number of threats including habitat loss, modification, degradation, and fragmentation within their occupied and historical ranges, largely resulting from river impoundment, invasive salt cedar encroachment, and drought. For more information on the sharpnose and smalleye shiners please review our smalleye and sharpnose shiner factsheet or our 2011 species assessment forms for the sharpnose and smalleye shiners.

Although the precise date that the proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register is unknown, it is unlikely to publish before early 2013. Once published in the Federal Register, the Service has 12 months to finalize the proposal. For an overview of the listing process please review our listing process factsheet and our petition process flowchart.

At this time, we are seeking to update our information and data related to the status of and threats to the sharpnose and smalleye shiners. For more information regarding information the Service is seeking in preparation of a proposed listing rule for the sharpnose and smalleye shiners please visit our shiner information request page.

For additional information regarding candidate species, visit the National Candidate Conservation Program Website.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with
others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and
their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

All images Credit to and Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unless specified otherwise.