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U.S. wildlife officials want to extend federal protections to a rare Nevada fish that environmentalists say is "barely clinging to existence" because of rapid groundwater pumping in a remote region experiencing extreme drought conditions, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposal to list the Fish Lake Valley tui chub as an endangered species is expected to publish Wednesday on the Federal Register, kicking off a 60-day public comment period, the AP said.
It marks the Trump administration's first consideration to list an endangered species during his second term. The pace of listings dropped dramatically during President Donald Trump's first term.
What kind of fish is the Fish Lake Valley tui chub?
The Fish Lake Valley tui chub is a rare, olive-colored minnow, less than 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) long, native to the springs of Fish Lake Valley in southwestern Nevada, near the California border[1]. It is a subspecies or distinct population of the tui chub (Siphateles bicolor), a freshwater fish in the family Leuciscidae, which includes daces and chubs[2].
Tui chubs are adaptable, opportunistic omnivores, found in a variety of habitats from cold lakes to warm desert streams, but the Fish Lake Valley population is now restricted to a single spring system[1].
History and current status
Historically, the Fish Lake Valley tui chub thrived in multiple springs in its namesake valley. Over time, its range has shrunk dramatically due to habitat loss, groundwater pumping and drought, and it now survives only in one spring system between Las Vegas and Reno[1]. This population is threatened primarily by groundwater extraction for alfalfa farming, as well as potential lithium mining and geothermal projects in the area[1].
How many species or populations remain?
While the tui chub species as a whole is widespread in the western Great Basin and has many subspecies -- possibly as many as 16, each often unique to a drainage or spring system -- the Fish Lake Valley tui chub is now confined to a single, isolated spring system[3].
Other Nevada native fish, like the Ash Meadows killifish and Raycraft Ranch springfish, have already gone extinct[1].
Its role in the ecosystem
The Fish Lake Valley tui chub is considered the "most significant organism" in its isolated pond habitat. Its presence is not just important for its own survival but is indicative of the overall health of the entire wetland ecosystem in Fish Lake Valley.
Experts warn that if the tui chub were to go extinct due to ongoing groundwater depletion, the entire ecosystem -- dependent on the same water source -- would be at risk of collapse. Thus, the tui chub acts as an indicator species: its well-being reflects the condition of the broader aquatic and wetland environment, including the groundwater that sustains both the fish and surrounding desert wildlife such as pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep[1].
Food web dynamics
As an omnivorous minnow, the tui chub feeds on a variety of organic matter, including detritus and aquatic vegetation. This diet helps recycle nutrients within the aquatic ecosystem, supporting the food web and maintaining water quality[7]. Its role as both prey and consumer helps balance populations of aquatic invertebrates and plants.
Habitat maintenance
By consuming detritus and vegetation, tui chubs help prevent the overgrowth of aquatic plants and the accumulation of organic material, which can otherwise lead to reduced oxygen levels and habitat degradation. Their foraging activity helps maintain open water and healthy spring conditions, benefiting other organisms that share the habitat[7].
Biodiversity support
The presence of the tui chub contributes to the overall biodiversity of the Fish Lake Valley wetland system.
The fish's survival supports a complex web of interactions among plants, invertebrates and other wildlife, many of which are also reliant on the same fragile water resources[7].
Why protections are important
Protecting the Fish Lake Valley tui chub is crucial for several reasons:
What do protections provide?
Listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) makes it illegal to import, export, possess, transport or kill the species[1]. Protections can include:
What's the process to get on the list?
In this case, a lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity in 2023 led to a settlement requiring a decision on the tui chub's status by May 2025[1].
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for assessing and making the final decision on endangered species listings under the ESA[1].
Other species included
Other Nevada native fish that have been listed or considered include the Ash Meadows killifish and Raycraft Ranch springfish, both of which have become extinct[1]. The Mohave tui chub (Siphateles bicolor mohavensis) is another endangered tui chub subspecies[7].
The Fish Lake Valley tui chub is not just a rare fish but a linchpin for the health and stability of its entire ecosystem. Its decline would signal broader ecological distress, potentially triggering a cascade of negative impacts on the unique desert wetland and all the species it supports[7]. The fate of the Fish Lake Valley tui chub is closely tied to the health of its ecosystem and the sustainable management of water resources in Nevada's arid landscapes[1].
Sources
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/rare-olive-colored-fish-nevada-nears-key-step-122016682
[2] https://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/ichthyology/catalog/fishcatget.asp?tbl=species&genus=Hesperoleucus
[3] https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.105276/Siphateles_bicolor_ssp_4
[6] https://www.britannica.com/story/what-makes-a-species-endangered
[7] https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/05/21/2025-09127/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-endangered-species-status-for-fish-lake-valley-tui