New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office

08/03/2022

A Race to Save Fish as Rio Grande Dries, Even in Albuquerque

We have been busy salvaging Rio Grande silvery minnow the last few weeks.

The Rio Grande went dry in Albuquerque last week for the first time in four decades.

03/07/2022

Our own Jennifer Johnson was interviewed for this story.

02/03/2022

November was a busy month for stocking fish in the Gila River Basin. NMFWCO, along with several partners, worked together to stock Chihuahua Chub. The stocking locations were the Mimbres River and a newly developed pond that was stocked for the very first time. Gila Chub were affected by the Johnson fire during the summer of 2021. Approximately 250 Gila Chub were removed from Turkey Creek and temporarily relocated to the Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center until conditions improved. In November partners transported 250 Gila Chubs by UTV’s as far as possible and hiked them in the rest of the way. Fish were spread out in four locations, roughly a mile. Finally, Gila Trout were also stocked into several locations. Partners stocked 800 threatened Gila Trout in Little Creek. The trout were loaded into special aluminum panniers packed on mules two miles into the stocking area where they were stocked across several pools. After that, the crew stocked 1,000 fish into Lake Roberts. The next day 1,000 Gila trout were packed into and stocked in Sapillo Creek, a recreational Gila Trout Fishery.

11/11/2021

Thank you to our Veterans, especially our own Lyle Thomas.

Lyle served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2003. He began his enlistment at the Marine Corp Recruit Depot San Diego, CA, went to Camp Pendleton, CA for Marine Combat Training Battalion, and was then sent to Camp Johnson, NC where he was an Automotive Maintenance Technician. After completing training Lyle was stationed with 1st Marine Division 2nd Battalion 11th Marine Regiment Echo Battery. Lyle was deployed twice, once to Okinawa, Japan in 2001 and the second during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

Thank you Lyle.

11/04/2021

NMFWCO was heavily involved with demographic monitoring for the endangered Colorado Pikeminnow and Razorback Sucker Xyrauchen texanus in the San Juan River Basin in August and September. This work, in partnership with the Grand Junction Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (GJFWCO), entailed three 7 day camping trips between Shiprock, NM and Sand Island, UT.

08/05/2021

Thomas Archdeacon was presented with the USFWS Southwest Region's award for Scientific Excellence.

This award recognizes an individual or a team who has addressed a natural resources management challenge, through the application of science.

Thomas leads the Middle Rio Grande program at the New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office. He was the lead author on four scientific publications in 2020 that examine the status, life history, and effects of management on Rio Grande silvery minnow.

Congratulations Thomas!

06/29/2021

Congratulations to Angela Palacios on her new position with the Willow Beach National Fish Hatchery. Angela will be stationed at the Achii Hanyo Native Fish Rearing Facility. Angela started with the New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in 2008 on the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow crew. Over the years she maintained aquaculture facilities in the office and assisted with population surveys of fishes in rivers throughout New Mexico. Angela was also the lead biologist for education activities, such as Native Fish in the Classroom. We wish Angela Palacios lots of success and happiness in her new position.

06/29/2021

A rough couple of weeks for our Rio Grande crew. Thomas Archdeacon and Lyle Thomas are leading fish rescue crews as stretches of the Rio Grande go dry. Crews scout for the endangered Rio Grande Silvery Minnow left in isolated pools and haul them to flowing portions to give them a second chance. Unfortunately, we can’t help all the other aquatic life impacted by river drying.

06/28/2021

Its the final round of our Gila bandana challenge. Be one of the first NINE to answer the question about our native Gila fish correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user.

Round 9. This little dace is known to develop breeding tubercles and has a dark spot at the base of its tail. What is the scientific or common name of this fish species?

LAST ROUND! Get your bandana.

06/26/2021

It's Friday and its time to be one of the first three to answer a question about our Gila native fishes correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user, so if you've earned one, give others a chance.

Round 8. This endangered fish species have breeding males that develop red-orange coloring along the mouth and fins. The females tend to develop yellow coloring. What fish species is it? Common name or scientific name is acceptable.

06/23/2021

Gila bandana challenge for a bandana featuring nine fishes native to the Gila River system in southwestern New Mexico. First three to answer the question correctly earns themselves a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user.

Round 7. In New Mexico, we have two native trout species. Which trout is native to the Gila watershed? Common name or scientific name is acceptable.

06/22/2021

On the downhill slide, with four more chances to earn a Gila bandana. Be one of the first three to answer a question about our native Gila fish correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user.

Round 6. Not only does this fish give birth to live young instead of laying eggs, this fish also has the shortest life span of the Gila fish community. What fish species is it? Common name or scientific name is acceptable.

06/21/2021

Biologists, Angela, Steve, and Weston say hello from the Pecos River. They were on the lookout for the threatened Pecos bluntnose shiner during fish community monitoring. While they were at it they also came across a rare find, the bigscale logperch.

06/18/2021

It's Friday! Who's ready to earn a bandana? Be one of the first three to answer a question about our Gila native fish correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user.

Round 5. Sometimes descriptions of fish are in the name. If we describe the fish by saying it has dark speckles and splotches, what fish are we talking about? Common name is acceptable.

06/17/2021

It's time for round 4 of our Gila challenge. Be one of the first three to answer a question about our native fishes correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user, so if you've earned one, give others a chance.

Round 4. This chub grows up to 13 inches long and can live up to 8 years? What is its scientific name?

06/14/2021

Round three of our Gila bandana challenge. The bandana features nine fishes native to the Gila River system in southwestern New Mexico. Be one of the first three to answer a question about our Gila native fish correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user, so if you've earned one, give others a chance.

Round 3. Breeding adults of this species develop a red-orange stripe along its lateral line. Common name or scientific name is acceptable.

06/13/2021

A glimpse into the Johnson Fire impacting our Gila.

- 6/12/2021
New photos uploaded to Flickr album/Johnson Fire
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gilaforest/albums/72157719333377047

06/12/2021

We’re eager to share some Gila bandanas. The bandana features nine fishes native to the Gila River system in southwestern New Mexico. Be one of the first three to answer a question about our Gila native fish correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user.

Round 2. This endangered fish species have breeding males that turn a golden yellow. What fish species is it? Common name or scientific name is acceptable.

06/10/2021

It’s that time again. Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council is hosting the 2021 Tribal Youth Environmental Summer Workshop. This year it will be a two- day virtual workshop. Join our fish biologist and other presenters to learn about fish biology, wildlife ecology, water quality and tradition ecological knowledge.

UPDATED! Deadline to REGISTER is July 2, 2021.

Visit http://www.enipc-oeta.org/ to download the application.

06/09/2021

We’re eager to share some Gila bandanas. The bandana features nine fishes native to the Gila River system in southwestern New Mexico. Be one of the first three to answer a question about our Gila native fish correctly and earn yourself a bandana. One bandana per Facebook user.

Round 1. This fish has a downward facing mouth. Both the upper and lower lip are fleshy (don't confuse it with the one that has a hard ridge on its upper lip). What fish species is it? Common name or scientific name is acceptable.

06/08/2021

Bandanas are in the house and we’re eager to share. The bandana features nine fishes native to the Gila River system in southwestern New Mexico. Be one of the first three to answer a question about our native fishes correctly and earn yourself a bandana.

We will have nine rounds. Questions will be posted at 7 a.m. or 7 p.m (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday) starting June 9th through June 28th.

First round begins tomorrow at 7:00 a.m.

05/28/2021

A Camouflaged Plains Killifish Hiding in Plain Sight

Sand abounds in our semi-arid desert climate, including in our river systems. Native species adapt to their environment in so many ways, even our fish. Check out the sand-like patterns of the plains killifish found in Revuelto Creek, a tributary to the Canadian River. A native fish species of the Canadian and Pecos river systems, we’d say the fish is right where it’s supposed to be.

Video credit: Angela Palacios/USFWS

05/26/2021

Wetlands of International Importance

As we continue to celebrate American Wetlands Month, take a virtual tour of Ramsar sites in the United States.

Turning 50 this year, the Convention on Wetlands is the oldest of the modern global intergovernmental environmental agreements. The treaty was negotiated through the 1960s by countries and non - governmental organizations concerned about the increasing loss and degradation of wetland habitat for migratory waterbirds. It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.

The first Ramsar sites in the United States were established in 1986 and today there are 41 designated Ramsar sites of international importance. Twenty-three of these include all or parts of U.S. Fish and Wildlife National Wildlife Refuges. In total, there are more than 2,400 Ramsar sites around the world representing an area larger than the size of Mexico.

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands turns 50

05/21/2021

Peppered chub of the Canadian River, New Mexico

Salt or pepper, that is the question. We’ll take pepper in honor of our peppered chub of the Canadian River. The New Mexico FWCO joined up with NM Game and Fish earlier this month to tackle seasonal fish monitoring for this lively little fish. With its two distinct pairs of barbels and specks of black, it makes for a captivating specimen. Fish Biologist, Angela Palacios, was so excited to see these two peppered chub she had to drop everything to grab a video. The peppered chub are currently being evaluated for proposed listing as endangered.

Video credit: Angela Palacios/USFWS
No sound.

05/19/2021

USFWS - AWM - The National Wetlands Inventory

Wetlands provide habitat for fish, wildlife and plants, recharge groundwater, reduce flooding, provide clean drinking water, and support numerous cultural and recreational activities. The Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) provides detailed information on the abundance, characteristics, and distribution of our nation’s wetlands. Check out the NWI’s wetland mapper to view America’s wetland resources.

Web site of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

05/13/2021

New Mexico FWCO fish biologists, not to be outdone by biologists getting viral coverage of a lake sturgeon, seined in a 0.01 pound minnow believed to be at least 1 year old. A crew of two was needed to lift it up out of the water and get it measured.

In 1993, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began fish surveys of the Rio Grande system to better understand the Rio Grande silvery minnow population. The Rio Grande silvery minnow was listed as endangered the following year in 1994. Silvery minnow are a short-lived species often only living one to two years in the wild.

Working that photo angle cause “non-charismatic microfauna" need love too!

Check out Alpena's post here: https://www.facebook.com/AlpenaFWCO/photos/a.358071017664100/2104591459678705/

Photo credit: Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office/USFWS with a fish story twist by Josh Grant featuring Fish Biologist, Thomas Archdeacon and our legendary Rio Grande silvery minnow.

05/12/2021

USFWS - American Wetlands Month

May is American Wetlands Month, a time to celebrate one of nature’s most productive ecosystems!

Have you ever wondered what wetlands are? The Service defines wetlands as “lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water.” Swamps, marshes, bogs, and wet meadows are just a few examples of wetland. Even our Cottonwood riparian forest, known has the Bosque, was historically a wetland due to its spring flooding and support of hydrophytes (plants adapted to grow in water or anaerobic soils).

Web site of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

05/09/2021

Rio Grande Egg Hunt

Happy Mother’s Day! We’re thankful for all the Rio Grande silvery minnow mom’s out on the Rio Grande. As pelagic spawners, silvery minnows release eggs in open water allowing the river to carry their eggs downstream. Over several days and locations, crews were out collecting the semi-buoyant eggs with egg collectors. As water flows through the screen, translucent eggs accumulate and biologists scoop up the eggs counting as they go. The eggs will support future generations of the Rio Grande silvery minnow.

Video credit: Angela Palacios/USFWS
Sound: Flowing water and the occasional clicking of the counter.

05/08/2021

Spring is in the air with cottonwoods leafing out, Cooper's hawks nesting, and Rio Grande silvery minnow spawning. As temperatures warm, the snow melts to the north, water levels rise in the Rio Grande, silvery minnow release their eggs into the Rio Grande to be carried downstream just below the surface of the river. Fish Biologist, Thomas Archdeacon, leads the crew as they aim to collect 10,000 eggs to support the broodstock program for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow at the Southwestern Native Aquatic Resources and Recovery Center.

05/05/2021

Mayfly of the Rio Grande

Ever wonder what fish eat? Just like most animals, there are some that are herbivores and some that are carnivores. And of course, there are those that eat both, which are omnivores. So aside from eating aquatic vegetation or other fish, what else is there? Well, we have macroinvertebrates like these mayflies. Not only do macroinvertebrates provide food for fish, but they also graze on, shred, and filter organic matter like aquatic vegetation, cycling nutrients in aquatic ecosystems.

Video credit: Angela Palacios/USFWS

05/05/2021

Mellow Rio Grande

Fish Biologist, Angela Palacios, taking a moment to compose herself and take in the beauty of the Rio Grande. Angela shared the scene of swallows doing aerial acrobatics, the Rio flowing through submerged vegetation, iconic cottonwoods bordering the far shore, birds singing in the background, and blue skies with 4th and 5th graders this morning during a virtual presentation. She also showed them native fish species, including our endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow, that exist within the Rio Grande ecosystem. Can you believe this is in the middle of Albuquerque?

Video credit: Angela Palacios/USFWS
Sound: Low hum of flowing water with birds singing in the background.

05/01/2021

What a catch! Our sister office in Michigan landed a lake sturgeon of epic proportions.

Did you know the Rio Grande was once home to sturgeon, too? We used to have a smaller relative, the shovelnose sturgeon, but it’s now considered extirpated. Can you imagine sturgeon roaming the Rio Grande?

A once in a lifetime catch for our Detroit River native species crew last week! This real life river monster was tipping the scales at 240 lbs, measuring 6'10" long, and a girth of nearly 4'. Caught in the Detroit River, this fish is one of the largest lake sturgeon ever recorded in the U.S.

Based on its girth and size, it is assumed to be a female and that she has been roaming our waters over 100 years. So, she likely hatched in the Detroit River around 1920 when Detroit became the 4th largest city in America 😮🦕

EDIT: She was quickly released back into the river after being processed!

🔷🔷We're excited to share this great news with everyone. With the numerous media requests, we are directing them to our External Affairs coordinator, Larry Dean. You can reach him at 612 713 5312 or at [email protected]🔷🔷

Photo: Staff laying next to adult lake sturgeon on deck of boat by Jason Fischer/USFWS.

04/30/2021

What a lovely array of native fish from Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office - USFWS. Kudos to all the hard work.

These species can also be found in southwestern New Mexico within the Gila River system.

Our crews recently joined the Bureau of Land Management in a large multi-agency effort to remove non-native Yellow Bullhead from Aravaipa Creek in southeastern Arizona.

Aravaipa Creek is home to several species of native fish that may be declining due to competition with the Yellow Bullhead.

This effort was one of the first larger, multi-agency collaborations aimed at stream recovery on Aravaipa Creek. Six crews across several agencies and volunteers came together for three days (some longer) of concerted removal efforts.

Among the native fish encountered were the Longfin Dace, Loach Minnow, Desert Sucker, Sonora Sucker, Roundtail Chub, and Lowland Leopard frogs!

How we do love our native fishes! 💙🐠❤🐟

04/29/2021

Out assisting NM Game and Fish with spring surveys on the Canadian River and it’s tributary, Revuelto Creek. The Fish Biologists were even happy to be working in a light rain. As you can see, our rivers could definitely use the moisture.

04/21/2021

Egg-guarding Fathead Minnow

Ever wonder what would make a fathead minnow territorial? We wondered, too. After we noticed this fathead minnow holding down a corner of the tank, we found eggs! Fathead minnow females are known for laying adhesive eggs, but we didn’t expect to see them on our outlet pipe. Once the female lays their eggs, the males take up guard. Check out the paternal care given by this male in his darkened spawning colors. Sporting his breeding tubercles along his nose and the dorsal patch along his back, he’s right at home protecting their eggs.

Video credit: Angela Palacios/USFWS
(Note: no vocals, only sound of running water)