Quitobaquito pupfish, Sonoyta pupfish

Description:

The Quitobaquito pupfish has a thick, chubby body with a superior mouthfilled with tricuspid teeth. The scales have spine-like projections. The body colors of males and females vary. Females (and juveniles) have narrow, vertical dark bands on the sides of the body, with a disjoined lateral band. Although females (and juveniles) have silver bodies, the fins are generally colorless, with the exception of an ocellate spot on the dorsal fin, and sometimes, a dark spot on the anal fin. Mature, breeding males, however, have darker fins, attached to a light to sky-blue body. The posterior part of their caudal peduncle (tailside) is yellow or orange, and sometimes, an intense orange-red. Compared to other pupfishes, the Quitobaquito pupfish has a larger head, mouth and body, but smaller fins and shorter caudal peduncle. The Quitobaquito pupfish also has a deeper head and longer jaw.

Habitat:

The Quitobaquito pupfish are restricted to Quitobaquito Springs. More specifically, these fish can be found in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, in which there is also a concrete tank nearby where the fish are held.

Notes:

The pupfish in the picture are in the habitat created for them at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Visitor's Center. Technically that means these fish qualify as captive animals. This is an excellent display pond, and the pupfish are thriving.