Chihuahua Chub

Gila nigrescens

Leuciscidae · freshwater water fish

2 minute read · Species guide

Chihuahua Chub field guide illustration

About Chihuahua Chub

The Chihuahua chub (Gila nigrescens) is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, chubs, Eurasian minnows and related species. It is found in Chihuahua, Mexico and in New Mexico, United States. The males can reach 24 cm (9.5 in) in length.

Diet and feeding

The FishTraits compilation records these diet categories for this species: invertebrates or larval fish; larger animal prey (a source category covering fish, crayfish, crabs, or frogs). These are broad categories, not a claim that every individual consumes every example in a category.

Reported feeding positions include surface or water-column feeding. The compilation combines published observations; diets can vary with age, locality, and available food.

Habitat preferences

Reported habitat associations include medium to large rivers, streams and small rivers.

The source records associations with boulders, organic debris. An association indicates reported use, rather than an exclusive requirement.

Reproduction and parental care

The compilation reports a representative maturity age of 1 years. Its maturity field summarizes mean, median, or modal estimates, usually for females; male estimates can be used when female data are unavailable. It is not a fixed age at which every fish first breeds.

Batch or serial spawning has been reported somewhere in the species’ range. This does not establish the same spawning pattern for every population.

Recorded spawning months are Apr, May for the source’s reporting region (NM). This is a regional calendar, not a range-wide schedule.

The reproductive-guild classification includes spawning on open substrates without guarding the brood.

Size and recorded longevity

FishTraits reports a maximum total length of 18 centimetres. Some entries use an estimated asymptotic length; this value should not be treated as a certified record catch.

Recorded longevity in the compilation is 4.5 years. Wild observations were preferred, but captive records were accepted where wild records were unavailable, and unspecified records were assumed wild. The value is not a guaranteed wild lifespan or an aquarium life expectancy.

Range

Where it lives

Share of 74 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 5 states.
0%
93.2%
Share of 74 GBIF observation records with a state location, across 5 states.

Habitat

Water and movement

Water
WoRMS records this species in fresh water.
Migration
Undetermined

Classification

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Superclass
Actinopterygii
Class
Teleostei
Order
Cypriniformes
Genus
Gila
Species
Gila nigrescens
ITIS TSN
163554
WoRMS AphiaID
1021597
GBIF key
2360076
Outside the US
ITIS also files it in Mexico.

Common questions about Chihuahua Chub

What is the scientific name of Chihuahua Chub?
The scientific name is Gila nigrescens, in the family Leuciscidae. Classification follows ITIS.
Does Chihuahua Chub live in fresh water or salt water?
WoRMS records this species in fresh water.
Where has Chihuahua Chub been recorded in the United States?
GBIF has observations in 5 states, with the most records in New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas. The map shows observation records, which do not establish the complete natural range.

Closest relatives

Other Gila species

Same family

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All 267 species in Leuciscidae