Ptychocheilus
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Ptychocheilus grandis |
The squawfish, or pikeminnows, are a genus Ptychocheilus of cyprinid fish, consisting of four species native to western North America. Voracious predators, they are considered an "undesirable" species in many waters. This is largely due to the species' predatorial habits towards small trout and salmon.
The Colorado pikeminnow is the largest member of the family, averaging 4 - 9 pounds in adult fish with occasional specimens up to 25 pounds. There are historical and anecdotal reports of Colorado Pikeminnows nearing 6 feet in length and 80 pounds in weight. The species is near extinction in its native Colorado River basin habitat, due to irrepairable habitat alterations. Despite it's size, it was not nor is a highly desirable fish, and efforts to recover it are not overly popular.
The American Fisheries Society changed the name of the members of this genus from "squawfish" to "pikeminnow", the term squaw having come to be considered offensive by many Native Americans.
[edit] References
- Ptychocheilus (TSN 163522). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 26 July 2006.
- "Ptychocheilus". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. July 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
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