Ptychocheilus
Sign in to savePtychocheilus, the pikeminnows or squawfish, is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, chubs, Eurasian minnows, and related species. These fishes are native to western North America. Voracious predators, they are considered an "undesirable" species in many waters, largely due to the species' perceived tendency to prey upon small trout and salmon. First known in western science by the common name Columbia River dace, the four species all became lumped under the name "squawfish". In 1999, the American Fisheries Society adopted "pike
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- Cyprinidae
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- Colorado Pikeminnow.jpg
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Ptychocheilus, the pikeminnows or squawfish, is a genus of freshwater ray-finned fishes belonging to the family Leuciscidae, which includes the daces, chubs, Eurasian minnows, and related species. These fishes are native to western North America. Voracious predators, they are considered an "undesirable" species in many waters, largely due to the species' perceived tendency to prey upon small trout and salmon. First known in western science by the common name Columbia River dace, the four species all became lumped under the name "squawfish". In 1999, the American Fisheries Society adopted "pikeminnow" as the name it recommends, because Native Americans consider "squawfish" offensive.
The Colorado pikeminnow, P. lucius, is the largest member of the genus, ranging from 4–9 lb (2–4 kg) in adult fish with occasional specimens up to 25 lb (11 kg). Historical and anecdotal reports of Colorado pikeminnows nearing 6 ft (1.8 m) in length and 80 lb (36 kg) in weight have been made. The species is near extinction in its native Colorado River Basin habitat, due to extensive habitat destruction.