Pogonichthys macrolepidotus (Ayres, 1854)
Splittail
Pogonichthys macrolepidotus
photo by Sandra J. Raredon / Smithsonian Institution, NMNH, Div. of Fishes

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Pogonichthyinae
Max. size:  44 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 5 years
Environment:  benthopelagic; freshwater; brackish
Distribution:  North America: formerly throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin River drainage in California, USA; now mostly in San Francisco Bay Delta and lower Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10. Body long, slender and compressed; dorsal-fin origin in front of pelvic-fin origin; upper lobe of caudal fin longer than lower lobe; barbel at corner of slightly subterminal mouth; scales on lateral line 57-64, usually 60-62; dorsal fin with 9-10 rays; 1st gill arch with 14-18 rakers; pharyngeal teeth 2,5-5,2; olive-gray above, silver gold side; large specimen with hump on nape; and red-orange caudal and paired fins (Ref. 86798).
Biology:  Inhabits lakes and backwaters and pools of rivers. Tolerant of brackish water (Ref. 5723, 86798).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 20 April 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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