150 Fishes to Celebrate 150 Years

This list is still in progress and being added to weekly. Check back again soon!

150 Fishes to Celebrate 150 Years

In 2020, the American Fisheries Society will celebrate its 150th Anniversary. As part of the celebration, the Society will be calling attention to 150 fishes. We solicited nominations of fishes for the list by the Society’s membership.

The 150 Fishes list is a celebration of the biodiversity of freshwater and marine fishes of North America. These fishes will help tell the story of fish and fisheries of the continent. They may illustrate unique life histories, beauty, conservation issues, and challenges of managing and conserving these animals and their habitats.  These fishes represent our native biodiversity, but also illustrates how invasives and our own human nature have had impacts on our aquatic resources. Hence, this list will primarily focus on native species but may include non-natives when they tell a compelling fisheries story. From the stories of these fishes, the Society and the public can learn to better appreciate these amazing natural resources and be challenged to ensure that future generations will be able to experience these fishes in their native settings.

Nomination Process

Fish nominations are now closed.

Circulation Process

The 150 Fishes list will reside at the 150th Anniversary Website, information about individual fish from the list will be circulated through various social media platforms throughout the year.

This list is meant to be a fun for members and informative for the public. It is unlikely we will be able to include all nominations. We acknowledge that every fish has a story. There may be opportunities to discuss all the nominated fishes in the future.


FULL LIST OF NOMINATED FISH

Catchy TitlePupfish on the Border
Common Name of FishSonoyta (Quitobaquito) Pupfish
Scientific Name of FishCyprinidon eremus
Image of FishImage of Fish
Image Caption and CreditUS FWS
Description of Why This Fish Is Important/Interesting

The Sonoyta (Quitobaquit) Pupfish, Cyprinidon eremus, is an endangered freshwater species that can be found both in Mexico and the US. In the US, the pupfish is found within the Quitobaquito Springs, a few hundred yards from the border, and the total area it can be found in is only 4 square miles! These pupfish live in algae-filled pools of water and can tolerate extreme temperature changes and changing water conditions. However, there’s one constant that they depend on for survival- regular water flow into the pools. Currently, this groundwater is threatened by the construction of the US border wall, and it’s possible that this unique fish could become extinct forever due to the threats to its desert oasis.

Website or Journal Article for More Informationhttps://organpipehistory.com/orpi-a-z/quitobaquito-springs-2/
Your NameHolly Albrecht