the western jumping mouse ( zapus princeps ) , is a species of rodent in the family dipodidae .

it is found in canada and the united states .

western jumping mice evolved during the pleistocene , possibly from the fossil species zapus burti , which is known from the late blancan .

their closest relatives appear to be pacific jumping mice , with which they can still interbreed to produce fertile offspring .

western jumping mouse

western jumping mice are found throughout western canada and much of the western united states .
right : a western jumping mouse in hibernation . ( photo courtesy of v . b . scheffer )
brown , l . 1967 . seasonal activity patterns and breeding of the western jumping mouse ( * zapus princeps * ) in wyoming .
malaney jl , conroy cj , moffitt la , spoonhunter hd , patton jl , cook ja . phylogeography of the western jumping mouse (
brown , l . 1970 . population dynamics of the western jumping mouse ( * zapus princeps * ) during a four - year study .
bosque del apache national wildlife refuge [ banwr ] new mexico meadow jumping mouse .
clark , t . w . 1971 . ecology of the western jumping mouse in grand teton national park , wyoming . northwest sci . 45 : 229 - 238 .
cranford , j . a . 1983 . ecological strategies of a small hibernator , the western jumping mouse zapus princeps . canadian journal of zoology 61 : 232 - 240 .
western jumping mice have large hind legs and a band of dark fur on their back . like other rodents , they have a long tail and pointed face . smaller than most rats , the western jumping mice measure up to 25 centimetres in length .
these groups contend saving streamside habitat hurts their business , and they argue that the mouse is not a separate - enough species , distinct from the more - abundant western jumping mouse , to qualify for endangered species act protection .
) . however , this would not account for lack of detectability of other demographic groups . third , as in the western harvest mouse (
western jumping mice can live as long as 6 years if they survive their first season of hibernation . half of all juveniles that enter their first winter hibernation will die . because western jumping mice hibernate they are only active for a short period each year .
luoma , s . n . 1969 . a study of hibernation in the western jumping mouse , zapus princeps . m . s . thesis , montata state university . 39 pp .
wright gd , frey jk . herbeal feeding behavior of the new mexico meadow jumping mouse (
wright gd , frey jk . habitat selection by the endangered new mexico meadow jumping mouse (
final rule . determination of endangered species status for the new mexico meadow jumping mouse throughout its range .
western jumping mice need high - energy foods to increase fat storage for their long hibernation periods . the main foods eaten by western jumping mice are arthropods , seeds and leaves . seeds are important in the fat deposition , however , arthropods may be a critical substitute when seeds are not available .
brown , l . n . 1970 . population dynamics of the western jumping mouse ( zapus princeps ) during a four - year study . j . mammal . 51 ( 4 ) : 651 - 658 .
brown , l . n . 1967 . seasonal activity patterns and breeding of the western jumping mouse ( zapus princeps ) in wyoming . am . midl . nat . 78 ( 2 ) : 460 - 470 .
morrison p , ryser fa . metabolism and body temperature in a small hibernator , the meadow jumping mouse ,
western jumping mice are important prey species for many predators in the ecosystems in which they live . they are also important as consumers of seeds and arthropods .
the woodland jumping mouse is classified as least concern ( lc ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) .
variation in phenology of hibernation and reproduction in the endangered new mexico meadow jumping mouse ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) .
frey jk . evidence for the historical occurrence of the meadow jumping mouse in the verde river watershed , arizona .
malaney jl , cook ja . using biogeographic history to inform conservation : the case of preble’s meadow jumping mouse .
whitaker , j . 1963 . food , habitat , and parasites of the woodland jumping mouse in central new york .
wright gd , frey jk . cool season activity of the meadow jumping mouse in the middle rio grande , 2010 .
the jumping mouse has large hind legs and a band of dark fur on its back . like other rodents it has a long tail and pointed face . smaller than most rats , the jumping mouse measures up to 25 cm in length .
in the southern parts of its range , the woodland jumping mouse is often restricted to mountain peaks ( 2 ) ( 5 ) .
variation in phenology of hibernation and reproduction in the endangered new mexico meadow jumping mouse ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) . - pubmed - ncbi
schorr ra , lukacs pm , florant gl . body mass and winter severity as predictors of overwinter survival in preble’s meadow jumping mouse .
the meadow , pacific , and western jumping mice ( zapus hudsonius , z . trinotatus , and z . princeps , respectively ) range over much of north america , in grasslands as well as riverine and wet meadow habitats of cool and moist forests . the only species found outside north america is the sichuan jumping mouse ( eozapus…
western jumping mice hibernate during the winter and spend most of their days in the summer building up fat reserves for this dormant period . seeds , leaves , and insects like spiders , centipedes , and crustaceans provide the high fat and energy foods these mice need to survive . they forage mainly at night . when scared from it ' s hiding place the western jumping mouse will make a series of jumps and then remain still in a new hiding spot to confuse predators .
western jumping mice exhibit low predation by mammalian carnivores during hibernation . one of the reasons for this is that their hibernation chambers are hidden far beneath the layers of snow . also , jumping mice give off little odor during hibernation , making them difficult find .
, is the most common external parasite of woodland jumping mice . there can be as many as several hundred of these mites per mouse .
davis , w . b . 1937 . some mammals from western montana and eastern idaho . the murrelet 18 ( 2 ) : 22 - 27 .
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western jumping mice hibernate during the winter and spend most of their days in the summer building up fat reserves for this dormant period . seeds , leaves , and insects like spiders , centipedes , and crustaceans provide the high fat and energy foods these mice need to survive . they forage mainly at night . when scared from their hiding place the western jumping mice will make a series of jumps and then remain still in a new hiding spot to confuse predators .
brannon , m . p . ( 2005 ) distribution and microhabitat of the woodland jumping mouse , napaeozapus insignis , and the white - footed mouse , peromyscus leucopus , in the southern appalachians . southeastern naturalist , 4 ( 3 ) : 479 - 486 .
. however , woodland jumping mice have a white - tipped tail , are larger , and are more brightly tricolored than are meadow jumping mice . also , woodland jumping mice are rarely found in open areas , whereas
the woodland jumping mouse occurs at a range of elevations , from near sea level to around 2 , 000 metres in the appalachian mountains ( 2 ) ( 6 ) .
did not catch any jumping mice at banwr in september , but caught a 20 . 0 g young of the year female on 22 and 25 october . this jumping mouse was radio - collared and its last above ground movement was 26 october (
the timing of reproduction for western jumping mice varies from year to year . many females less than 2 years old do not breed . if they do breed it will usually occur later in the season and they produce smaller litter sizes than older females .
the woodland jumping mouse would benefit from further research into its abundance , the extent of its distribution , and the potential impacts of any threats on its populations ( 1 ) .
in california , the western jumping mouse is distributed in the sierra nevada from southeastern shasta co . south through plumas co . to northeastern tulare co . it also is found in north - central california in siskiyou and trinity cos . , in eastern modoc co . and in western tehama co . probably distributed throughout north - central and northeastern california , though confirmed locality data are sparse ( see hall and kelson 1959 , hall 1981 ) . jumping mice are confined to wet areas in a variety of coniferous forest , riparian , and grassland habitats . locally common to abundant in thick , herbaceous vegetation near water .
a trap is set during a study of the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range .
beginning in march 1992 , but did not capture a jumping mouse until 13 may . males made up 83 % of captures during may with the first female caught on 20 may (
a ribbon marks a trap during a study of the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range .
neumann r , cade tj . photoperiodic influence on the hibernation of jumping mice .
western jumping mice are found primarily in moist fields , thickets , and woodlands , especially where grasses , sedges , or other green plant cover is dense . they are also found in grassy edges of streams , ponds , and lakes , usually within 50 meters of water .
it was one of several mouse - trapping expeditions planned this summer to detect the preble’s mouse , including one at the u . s . air force academy north of colorado springs and in the foothills west of boulder .
) . however , the timing differed . jumping mice at banwr emerged ca 4 weeks
hafner dj , petersen ke , yates tl . evolutionary relationships of jumping mice ( genus
rocky flats national wildlife refuge — the hunt is on for the preble’s meadow jumping mouse — as is a trump - backed fight that holds it up as proof the endangered species act needs tweaking .
“we could delist the mouse due to extinction , ” hansen said . “but we’re not going to let that happen to this mouse . we have enough tools , and conservation partners , to make sure that doesn’t happen . ”
alison michael holds a deer mouse , that was caught in a trap , as she works on a study on the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range . they found two meadow vole mice , and 11 deer mice , but no jumping mice , in the 200 traps , during the first day of the study .
alison michael holds a meadow vole mouse , that was caught in a trap , as she works on a study on the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range . they found two meadow vole mice , and 11 deer mice , but no jumping mice , in the 200 traps , during the first day of the study .
whitaker jr , j . o . ( 1963 ) food , habitat and parasites of the woodland jumping mouse in central new york . journal of mammalogy , 44 ( 3 ) : 316 - 321 .
adelman , e . b . 1979 . a survey of the nongame mammals in the upper rattlesnake creek drainage of western montana . m . s . thesis . university of montana , missoula . 129 pp .
a deer mouse is caught in a trap at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield .
although usually silent , the woodland jumping mouse may sometimes utter a low clicking or clucking sound , or squeal if disturbed . it may also drum its tail ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 6 ) .
scott quigley , left , writes down information as alison michael holds a deer mouse , that was caught in a trap , as they work on a study on the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range . they found two meadow vole mice , and 11 deer mice , but no jumping mice , in the 200 traps , during the first day of the study .
: owls , hawks , weasels , snakes , foxes , coyotes , and skunks are principal predators of the meadow jumping mouse . little is known about longevity in this species , but it may live about two years .
although it may use long leaps to escape danger , the woodland jumping mouse more often walks around on all fours when moving slowly , or uses short hops for greater speed ( 2 ) ( 3 ) . when escaping , it usually makes several leaps before stopping and remaining motionless under nearby cover ( 2 ) ( 4 ) . the woodland jumping mouse climbs well in bushes , but does not ascend trees ( 2 ) ( 3 ) .
the woodland jumping mouse is a common and widespread species and is not currently considered at risk of extinction . its populations are believed to be stable , and it is not facing any major threats at present ( 1 ) .
like all jumping mice , the woodland jumping mouse has prominently grooved incisors ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) . this species is distinguished from jumping mice in the genus zapus by its white tail tip and by differences in its teeth , and from eozapus species by lacking a dark stripe on the belly ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) . across its range , the woodland jumping mouse varies in appearance , with northern populations generally being larger and paler than those in the south ( 2 ) ( 5 ) . some scientists have recognised up to five subspecies ( 2 ) .
colorado cattlemen’s association vice president terry fankhauser said regulations on streamside construction have had a negative economic impact . he lauded work by gov . john hickenlooper and other western governors to give states a greater voice in handling endangered species issues .
there are no specific conservation measures currently known to be in place for the woodland jumping mouse . this colourful rodent occurs within a number of protected areas , but there are no conservation efforts targeting its specific needs ( 1 ) .
ovaska , k . and herman , t . b . ( 1988 ) life history characteristics and movements of the woodland jumping mouse , napaeozapus insignis , in nova scotia . canadian journal of zoology , 66 : 1752 - 1762 .
the preble’s mouse stands out as a “relic species” that evolved during the ice age , when colorado was wetter . the mouse adapted to wet conditions . then , as glaciers retreated , the mouse was confined to increasingly isolated stream corridors . preble’s mice need free - flowing water to drink , unlike other species in the semi - arid west that can metabolize water from plants or drops of dew .
woodland jumping mice can be nervous in captivity . tail drumming and sporadic jumping are signs of excitability or nervousness . after about a month of captivity , woodland jumping mice calm sown and are easy to handle . these animals are not usually aggressive toward each other , and do not fight over food . when given the choice , they prefer to sleep in the same nest box as other woodland jumping mice .
zwank pj , najera sr , cardenas m . life history and habitat affinities of meadow jumping mice (
costello , r . , a . rosenberger . 2003 .
napaeozapus insignis , woodland jumping mouse
( on - line ) . smithsonian national museum of natural history : north american mammals . accessed march 29 , 2004 at urltoken .
over 20 years , requirements to minimize harm to preble’s mouse habitat have hurt landowners looking to develop , colorado association of home builders ceo scott smith said . “if you have property deemed to be mouse habitat , it has significant impacts . it sterilizes your property . ”
alison michael hunts for a trap , as she works on a study on the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range . they found two meadow vole mice , and 11 deer mice , but no jumping mice , in the 200 traps , during the first day of the study .
age class of specimens of the new mexico meadow jumping mouse ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) by date of capture for ( a ) valley populations and ( b ) montane populations . age class was determined by characteristics of the skull and dentition .
are adapted to jumping , and so have long hind legs with elongated ankle bones and long toe bones .
woodland jumping mice have no special status on the iucn red list , us federal list , or cites .
) . thus , different species and populations of jumping mice adjust to short activity intervals in different ways .
they have quite a large range extending in canada from southern yukon to south - western manitoba . jumping mice are also common in the u . s . from california east to montana and new mexico . because owls and foxes are their predators , these mice like to live under thickets , brushes , and in dense grasslands where they are hard to find .
from left , scott quigley , david lucas , and alison michael head out to look at traps as they study the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado’s booming front range . they found two meadow vole mice , and 11 deer mice , but no jumping mice , in the 200 traps , during the first day of the study .
from left , david lucas , scott quigley and alison michael head out to look at traps as they study the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range . they found two meadow vole mice , and 11 deer mice , but no jumping mice , in the 200 traps , during the first day of the study .
however , residential , agricultural and industrial development may reduce the habitat available to the woodland jumping mouse in some areas , particularly affecting suitable hibernation sites . in future , a more serious threat is likely to come from climate change , which could cause a decline in the southern populations of this species , which are already restricted to cooler environments at high elevations . climate change may also cause reduced winter snowfall , removing the insulating layer that the woodland jumping mouse needs to survive its hibernation period ( 1 ) .
from left , scott quigley , david lucas , and alison michael head out to look at traps as they study the rare jumping mouse , at rocky flats national wildlife refuge on july 18 , 2017 in broomfield . they are trying to find out whether mouse has survived and how much protection it needs up and down colorado ' s booming front range . they found two meadow vole mice , and 11 deer mice , but no jumping mice , in the 200 traps , during the first day of the study .
specimen data used in the evaluation of the phenology of hibernation and reproduction in the new mexico meadow jumping mouse ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) . museums acronyms are defined in text . julian date is the date of capture . age class is described in text .
“why waste money protecting a population that is not important to the species as a whole or to biodiversity ? ” pacific legal foundation attorney damien schiff said , making the groups’ case to delist the preble’s mouse . “it is not economical or socially feasible to protect every population . you should prioritize based on the most ecologically or biologically significant species . the preble’s jumping mouse is not high on that list . ”
: food of the meadow jumping mouse consists of fruits and green vegetation , but principally seeds and grasses which they pull down to ground level by cutting the bases of the stalks . some animal food is eaten , especially in the spring when seeds are scarce .
the three - colored pattern found on the fur of woodland jumping mice helps to conceal these animals against dead vegetation . if they are pursued by predators , woodland jumping mice escape by jumping quickly , then remaining still for a little while . their coloration , escape behavior , and relative lack of odor are probably all ways they avoid predators . woodland jumping mice are mostly safe from predators during hibernation . timber rattlesnakes , broad - banded copperheads , screech owls , bobcats , minks , striped skunks , gray wolves , and house cats are all known predators of woodland jumping mice .
the woodland jumping mouse has rather coarse fur , due to a layer of stiff guard hairs ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) . its fur is quite bright , with yellow - orange to reddish - brown sides , sprinkled with dark hairs . the sides contrast with the brown to black back and top of the head , and with the pure white underparts . the tops of the feet are also white , while the tail is distinctly bi - coloured , being dark brown above and white below , with a white tip ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) . the ears of the woodland jumping mouse are of moderate size and are furred on the outside ( 6 ) . the female woodland jumping mouse is usually slightly larger than the male ( 2 ) .
how often does reproduction occur ? woodland jumping mice breed once or twice in one season ( may through september ) .
are also found on woodland jumping mice . internal parasites include protozoans , cestodes or tapeworms , and nematodes or roundworms .
western jumping mice mate soon after they emerge from hibernation , usually in june . their gestation period is approximately 18 days and they give birth to 3 to 9 young . a newborn weighs about 1 gram . they can have 2 or 3 litters per year but will usually have only one litter . young born too late in the year do not acquire sufficient fat reserves to survive hibernation .
usually tall grass along streams , with or without a brush or tree canopy . also dry grasslands in north - central mt . mesic forests with sparse understory herbage in western mt . from valley floors to timberline and alpine wet sedge meadows ( hoffmann and pattie 1968 ) .
the pacific jumping mouse is common within its range . population densities vary greatly , from three individuals per hectare in dry grassy areas , to 40 per hectare in mesic meadows where forbs are more abundant than grasses ( cranford 1999 , in wilson and reeder , 2005 ) .
orrock , j . l . , farley , d . and pagels , j . f . ( 2003 ) does fungus consumption by the woodland jumping mouse vary with habitat type or the abundance of other small mammals ? canadian journal of zoology , 81 : 753 - 756 .
french ar , forand s . role of soil temperature in timing of emergence from hibernation in the jumping mouse , zapus hudsonius . in : heldmaier g , kligenspor m , editors . life in the cold : eleventh international hibernation symposium ; berlin . 2000 . pp . 111–118 .
woodland jumping mice eat fungi and help to disperse mycorrhizal fungi . mycorrhizal fungi are very important to the ecosystem because they provide trees with nutrients . they also break down detritus . woodland jumping mice are often found with other small mammals , such as
a highly specialized granivore , eating mainly grass seeds , and hibernating for up to 8 mo each yr . the need for an abundant seed supply probably explains the restricted ecological distribution and patchy abundance . despite the name , a jumping mouse generally moves about on all 4 feet . predators include foxes , coyotes , mustelids , house cats , owls , hawks , snakes , and some fish . jumping mice are good swimmers .
meaney ca , ruggles ak , lubow bc , clippinger nw . abundance , survival , and hibernation of preblei’s meadow jumping mice (
the only species in its genus ( 2 ) ( 3 ) , the woodland jumping mouse ( napaeozapus insignis ) is a small rodent with long hind feet and a distinctly long tail , which makes up more than half of its total length ( 2 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) . using the hind limbs for propulsion and the tail for balance , the woodland jumping mouse is able to make large leaps of up to three metres at a time ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) , although it more commonly moves with shorter hops ( 2 ) ( 3 ) .
the diet of the woodland jumping mouse includes a variety of fungi , seeds , caterpillars , beetles , nuts , fruits and other plant material ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) ( 8 ) . fungi often make up over a third of the diet ( 4 ) ( 5 ) ( 8 ) , with underground species such as those in the genus endogone being particularly important ( 2 ) ( 5 ) ( 8 ) ( 9 ) . the association of the woodland jumping mouse with cool , moist habitats may partly relate to the availability of this food source ( 7 ) .
1994 . meadow jumping mice habitat affinities and capture success in two trap types at bosque de apache national wildlife refuge . 86 pp .
in fact , the crew did not catch a single preble’s mouse along a 1 - mile stretch of the creek where , on average , 44 mice had appeared in previous surveys .
yet development pressures mount — to widen interstate 25 through mouse habitat between castle rock and colorado springs , to build new housing and to install more big - box stores . and , in washington , d . c . , and in pro - industry law offices , attorneys argued last week that it makes no sense to give so much power to a mouse .
previous mouse surveys found scores of the mice along front range streams , including an estimated 77 along rock creek in the late 1990s . but , increasingly , preble’s mice aren’t found .
brown , l . n . 1967b . seasonal activity patterns and breeding of the western jumping mouse ( zapus princeps ) in wyoming . am . midl . nat . 78 : 460 - 470 . godin , a . j . 1977 . wild mammals of new england . johns hopkins univ . press , baltimore , md . 304pp . hall , e . r . 1981 . the mammals of north america . second ed . 2 vols . john wiley and sons , new york . 1271pp . hall , e . r . , and k . r . kelson . 1959 . the mammals of north america . 2 vols . the ronald press , new york . 1162pp . krutzsch , p . h . 1954 . north american jumping mice ( genus zapus ) . univ . kans . nat . hist . publ . 7 : 349 - 372 . meyers , l . g . 1969 . home range and longevity in zapus princeps in colorado . am . midl . nat . 82 : 628 - 629 . stinson , n . , jr . 1981 . home range of the western jumping mouse , zapus princeps , in the colorado rocky mountains . great basin nat . 37 : 87 - 90 . vaughan , t . a . , and w . pease - weil . 1980 . the importance of arthropods in the diet of zapus princeps in a subalpine habitat . j . mammal . 61 : 122 - 124 .
“development has proceeded along the front range , ” he said . “in areas where development could affect the mouse , we have worked with developers and other project proponents to avoid and minimize their potential impacts on the mouse , other listed species , and other natural resources — and , if necessary , pursue incidental - take permits under the esa so that projects proceed . ”
the woodland jumping mouse is most active at night , although it may also be active at dawn and dusk , especially in cloudy or rainy weather ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 6 ) . this species has a long hibernation , usually lasting from september or october until april or may . during the autumn , the woodland jumping mouse starts to accumulate extra body fat in preparation for hibernation , and will sometimes increase to one and a half times its spring weight ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 6 ) . no extra food is eaten over the winter months , so any individuals without sufficient fat reserves do not survive ( 1 ) . in the spring , male woodland jumping mice emerge a couple of weeks before the females ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 10 ) .
: the meadow jumping mouse occurs in the eastern third of kansas where it inhabits abandoned fields or grassy meadows associated with shrubs or trees , generally in moist situations . it uses trails made by voles , but , like harvest mice , prefers to live independently of trail systems . its distribution in the state is localized and variable .
saving the mouse requires continued work by all to preserve and protect streamside habitat , which also helps many other species and people who rely on streams for water and recreation , federal wildlife officials say .
breeding season mating occurs immediately after woodland jumping mice emerge from hibernation in early may . mating may also occur in mid - summer ( second litter ) .
woodland jumping mice eat a variety of foods , including fruits , seeds , fungi , and insects . in many areas , these mice depend on the fungus
the jumping mouse can have up to 3 litters a year starting directly after the snowmelt in the spring . each litter has 3 - 9 young that weigh less than a gram each . owls , weasels , foxes , and skunks all like to eat this furry rodent . habitat destruction alongside rivers and streams is the main threat faced by these important mammals .
the colorado association of home builders , colorado cattlemen’s association , and housing and building association of colorado springs recently petitioned the federal government demanding that the protection granted in 1998 for the preble’s mouse be removed .
the preble’s mouse counts can be slow . trappers lay out metal boxes at night , baited with molasses - covered oats or alfalfa . they put them in thick willows , then check them at dawn .
. woodland jumping mice can climb within bushes and on vines but are not arboreal . lastly , they can swim underwater and on the surface for short distances .
a fish and wildlife service review in 2013 concluded that human development and other activities fragmented and changed preble’s mouse habitat , that the mice are likely to face extinction “within the foreseeable future , ” and that they require continued protection .
percent of records by month for the new mexico meadow jumping mouse ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) based on museum specimens from low elevation valleys and montane populations . percent of records by month for bosque del apache national wildlife refuge ( valley , rio grande population ) is based on field data reported by najera ( 1994 ) and sr najera , pj zwank , & m cardenas ( 1994 , unpublished data ) .
little is known about how woodland jumping mice benefit humans . the disperal of mycorrhizal fungi by these animals benefits many species of trees , some of which may be economically important .
the preble’s mouse , found only on colorado’s front range , “is a case in point , ” schiff said . “you have a significant amount of time and resources being expended over a population that doesn’t merit that degree of attention . ”
the newborn woodland jumping mice are naked and blind and weigh just 0 . 9 grams . the young are fully furred by 24 days old and open their eyes at 26 days ( 2 ) ( 3 ) . weaning takes place by about 34 days old ( 3 ) . neither the male nor female woodland jumping mouse breed until after their first hibernation ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 10 ) . this species may live up to three or four years , but most individuals probably do not survive beyond one or two years ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) .
: the meadow jumping mouse has a nervous disposition and , when disturbed , will immediately jump through the grass in erratic leaps using its tail as a balance . it is a good climber , frequently ascending stalks of plants while foraging . it is also a good swimmer . an oval nest ( 100 to 150 m ) is made of grass , rootlets and other plant fibers , and is placed either underground , under logs , on the surface of the ground , or sometimes a few millimeters above ground in hummocks of grass . the meadow jumping mouse is essentially solitary , and is rarely found in groups . in early autumn after accumulating fat , it retreats to a subterranean nest which is placed below the frost line and , after losing the tunnel , curls up in its nest with its tail wrapped around it and spends the next six or seven months in hibernation .
thompson , richard w . , western resource dev . corp . , boulder , co . , 1996 , wildlife baseline report for the montana [ montanore ] project , lincoln and sanders counties , montana . in application for a hard rock operating permit and proposed plan of operation , montanore project , lincoln and sanders counties , montana . vol . 5 . stroiazzo , john . noranda minerals corp . , libby , mt . revised september 1996 .
the tiny mouse with a huge vertical leap — officially designated threatened , meaning vulnerable to extinction — has for two decades forced developers and cattlemen to take better care of streamside habitat along colorado’s front range , one of the nation’s fastest - growing regions .
as its common name suggests , the woodland jumping mouse is found primarily in wooded habitats . it prefers relatively cool , moist areas with dense vegetation , particularly in spruce - fir and hemlock - hardwood forests ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) ( 7 ) . this species is often found along streams or around bogs or swamps ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) .
in the northern portion of this species ' range , woodland jumping mice are 12 % larger in body size than they are in the south . northern and eastern populations tend to be more yellowish and southern populations are reddish - orange . northwestern populations have pale colored sides and dark backs . these distinctions in appearance and geographic differences helped whitaker ( 1972 ) to identify five subspecies of woodland jumping mice .
than other habitats . these rodents prefer forested areas with dense woody undergrowth . throughout their range , woodland jumping mice are found in spruce - fir and hemlock - hardwoods . they are also found at forest edges when these provide sufficient cover ( shrubs , ferns , grasses , rocks ) and access to water . woodland jumping mice occur from sea level to elevation of 2013 m in the appalachian highlands .
surveyors running 200 traps a night all week saw nothing of the mouse’s famed leaps and midair twisting to evade predators . and this habitat is as good and undisturbed as it gets , because rocky flats was closed off as the site of a cold war nuclear bomb factory .
western jumping mice have yellow sides with a dark band down the middle of their back . their belly is usually white , but can sometimes have a yellow tinge . the body length including the tail is 215 - 260 mm . they have a long tail ( 126 - 160 mm ) that is darker on the top than the bottom . males and females are similar in size and characteristics . weight ranges from 18 to 24 grams , but can reach up to 35 grams before they enter hibernation . the hind feet are very large with each foot measuring 28 - 34 mm and they can hop up to 2 m . each upper tooth row has 4 molariform teeth with the first reduced in size .
populations of pacific jumping mice appear secure , however , potential threats to long term viability exist . as with similar species , populations of pacific jumping mice are often greatly reduced by wildfires and prescribed burns , which are becoming increasingly common throughout its range . because of its reliance on mesic , montane habitats , this species may also be threatened by climate change . but overall there are no major threats to the species at present .
normally , woodland jumping mice use a four - legged walk when moving around . however , when speed is needed they resort to a four - legged hopping locomotion . a hop normally covers 0 . 6 to 0 . 9 m , but can be as long as 1 . 8 m and as high as 0 . 6 m . jumping mice travel along trails created by other small mammals , but not nearly as regularly as do
i am grateful to greg wright for his assistance and the many insightful discussions we have had about jumping mice . i thank scott wait of colorado parks and wildlife and jennifer l . zahratka for providing information about jumping mice at sambrito creek . i thank christina kenny for assistance creating the histograms . i thank fs dobson , an anonymous reviewer , and the academic editor , d kramer , for constructive suggestions that greatly improved the paper .
the endangered species act requires landowners to at least consult with federal officials before disturbing mouse habitat and to obtain permits for projects where harm can be minimized through careful planning . over two decades , hansen said , this process has resulted in higher - quality development along colorado’s front range that saves streamside terrain .
although not specifically reported for this species , there is undoubtedly tactile communication between mates , as well as between mother and offspring . it is also likely that , as in other small rodents , chemical signals pass between individuals helping to identify individuals , sexes , and the reproductive condition of any particular mouse .
the woodland jumping mouse occurs in the north - eastern united states and south - eastern canada . in canada , it has been recorded from southern labrador , south through quebec , and east through southern and central ontario , as far as manitoba . its range extends south through the north - eastern united states , along the appalachian mountains and as far south as northern georgia ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) . it is also found in northern michigan and northern wisconsin ( 1 ) ( 5 ) .
males come out of hibernation about 2 weeks before females , and mating occurs as soon as the females emerge . mating can also place again in mid - to late - summer , in which case it produces a second litter . there is not much information available on the mating system of woodland jumping mice . in captivity , females sometimes injure the ears and tails of males who pursue them for mating . however , captive woodland jumping mice are generally passive with each other , even while breeding .
reproductive data for female meadow jumping mice ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) that were field - evaluated to be pregnant at bosque del apache national wildlife refuge , socorro county , new mexico , 2009–2010 ( wright , 2012 ; frey & wright , 2012 ) .
relationship between the temperature equivalent ( c° ) of a location and the earliest known date for emergence of the new mexico meadow jumping mouse ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) from hibernation . temperature equivalents are relative to a hypothetical location with approximate average conditions for new mexico : 34° n latitude , 1 , 981 m elevation , and mean annual temperature of 12 . 2 °c . solid dots and regression line are based on dates of earliest capture during field studies ; stars are earliest dates of representative museum specimens . julian dates range from 1 may ( 121 ) to 3 july ( 184 ) .
age of new mexico meadow jumping mice ( zapus hudsonius luteus ) by month captured in the middle rio grande valley at bosque del apache national wildlife refuge , socorro county , new mexico . the number of known pregnant females is indicated with a “p” in parentheses .
this small rodent builds a globular nest of dry grass and leaves , usually in an underground burrow , in a hollow log or fallen tree , or in a pile of brush ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 4 ) ( 5 ) . burrows may be dug by the mouse itself , or taken over from another small animal . the entrance is concealed during the day ( 2 ) ( 3 ) . the breeding season of the woodland jumping mouse runs from may to early september , although births usually peak in june and august ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) ( 6 ) . the gestation period is about 21 to 29 days ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 5 ) , and litter size ranges from 2 to 7 ( 2 ) ( 3 ) . females sometimes have two litters a year , particularly in more southerly populations ( 1 ) ( 2 ) ( 3 ) ( 5 ) .
they jump to evade predators from coyotes to owls , fish and wildlife service biologist craig hansen said . “i’ve seen prodigious leaps , from a foot up to 5 feet . they crouch in vegetation and wait for predators to get close . it is a shock - and - awe defense . it surprises predators . then the mouse jumps away . ”
it would take years before the mouse could vanish , because 34 , 935 acres of “critical habitat” along streams in colorado ensure survival is likely . and wildlife researchers say it is difficult to prove a species has gone extinct . if that happened , the endangered species act protections legally could be removed . few species have been removed from the endangered list due to extinction .
woodland jumping mice are found throughout northeastern north america , from central manitoba to northern quebec and south into the lower appalachian mountains ( northern georgia ) . in michigan , these mice may be found in the upper peninsula and in the northern three tiers of counties in the lower peninsula .
: the meadow jumping mouse is a graceful , colorful mammal that can be distinguished from other kansas rodents by : 1 ) long tapering tail , bicolored grayish - brown above and yellowish - white below with a black tip , 2 ) large hind feet , 3 ) small front feet , 4 ) long , coarse , yellowish - brown fur on the upper body with black - tipped guard hairs that form a dark dorsal stripe , 5 ) yellowish - orange to pinkish - buff sides , 6 ) white underparts , and 7 ) dark ears edged with buff or white . sexes are alike . young are duller in color than adults and have softer fur .
= 9 ) of jumping mice caught in may were male . the earliest capture date for a valley specimen outside the middle rio grande valley were two females caught 24 june at espanola , rio arriba county , new mexico ( 36 . 0°n latitude , 1 , 700 m elevation ) .
woodland jumping mice are normally active at night , but may be active during the day , especially on cloudy or rainy days . these animals seek shelter in burrows they dig for themselves , burrows of other small mammals , or under shrubs . during the day , woodland jumping mice cover the entrance to their burrows . a tunnel may be 1 . 5 m in length . a globular nest is built in a small tunnel , in brush , or on the ground . the nest is made of grass and dead leaves , and can be as large as 154 mm in diameter .
woodland jumping mice are found in a wide variety of habitats in michigan . these include old growth dry and wet hardwoods , second growth hardwoods , mixed conifer swamp , tamarack and black spruce bog , second - growth fir and spruce , and in grassy areas with second - growth ash cover .
along the rio grande and the lowest elevation location ( i . e . , highest temperature equivalent ) where the species is currently known to persist . field studies at banwr have revealed a sharp reduction in detectable above - ground activity of jumping mice during late summer . in 1991 and 1992 ,
develop more slowly than other rodents . it is possible that they need extra time for the growth and coordination of their very specialized jumping limbs . litters contain from 1 to 7 young , and pregnancy lasts from 23 to 29 days . at birth , young are blind , naked , unpigmented , and weigh about 1 g . by the age of 10 days , young woodland jumping mice have pigment spots beneath the skin all over the body . their bodies are covered with fine hair by day 14 . young jumping mice are fully furred by 24 days and their eyes open by 26 days . by day 34 , the young are weaned and they have the appearance of adults , except they are smaller and their sides are yellowish brown ( adults have orange - brown sides ) . juveniles lose their yellowish fur when they molt , at about 63 to 80 days after birth . most adults go through their yearly molt in august .
woodland jumping mice hibernate for at least six months of the year . they spend september / october until may in a subterranean burrow . young do not enter hibernation until late october , about one month after adults begin hibernation . body fat is quickly accumulated several weeks before entering hibernation . an adult that weighs 20 g in the summer may gain up to 10 g to in preparation to hibernate . while hibernating , woodland jumping mice curl up in a ball in their underground nests and enter a torpor where their normal body temperature of 37 c drops considerably . finally , up to 35 % of their weight is lost during hibernation .
is not found in any other small mammal . these mice were also found to have eaten raspberries , may apples , blueberries , ferns , leaves , and nuts . insects are another important part of the diet of these mice , providing about 22 % of their food . woodland jumping mice do not cache food .
) . at fenton lake , morrison ( 1987 , unpublished data ) caught 5 jumping mice in october that previously had been captured with the last caught on 3 october after which trapping ended . thus , there could have been later dates of activity . morrison ( 1987 , unpublished data ) thought that most adults had entered hibernation by mid - september and that later occurrences were young of the year . however , in the white mountains near greer , i caught five jumping mice on 12 september , which included four young of the year weighing < 20 g , and one adult female that weighed 34 g that was imminently ready for hibernation .
not much is known about the communication in woodland jumping mice . in captivity , individuals are very tolerant of each other and show few signs of aggression . individuals are normally silent ; however young mice are constantly squeaking and making suckling sounds shortly after being born . adults utter a soft clucking sound while sleeping or just before hibernation .
) caught jumping mice through september and until 22 october , although all were considered young of the year in these months except an adult female ( 24 . 0 g ) on 12 september and an adult male that weighed 32 . 0 g on 27 september and 35 . 0 g on 1 october , and was imminently ready for immergence (


the siamese algae eater ( crossocheilus oblongus ) is a species of freshwater fish in the carp family , cyprinidae .

this bottom-dwelling tropical fish is found in mainland southeast asia , including the chao phraya and mekong basins as well as the malay peninsula .

its natural habitats are streams and rivers as well as flooded forests during the rainy season .

the siamese algae eater should not be confused with the flying fox ( epalzeorhynchos kalopterus ) or the false siamensis ( garra cambodgiensis ) .

siamese algae eater

siamese algae eater , chinese algae eater and harlequin´s , in my 200 liters planted fishtank .
algae eater , siamese headbreather , sucker loach , sucking loach , and biforated carp .
there is a narrow lighter band above the black band in a false siamese algae eater .
all fins on a false siamese algae eater are yellowish in color except for the pectorals .
) . these fish are very commonly sold as merely algae eater . watch out for its adult size , and temperament . the siamese algae eater , (
specificationsmpnf90 0022 2105manufacturerthat fish placecommon nametrue siamese algae eater scientific namecrossocheilus siamensis originasia max siz . . .
the siamese algae eater is also known as the siamese flying fox , flying fox and siamese fox . it is common in aquarium stores and a very good algae eater . a very similar species , garra taeniata aka epalzeorhynchus sp , is sometimes sold as siamese algae eater which have earned that species the common name false siamese algae eater . a majority the siamese algae eaters that are ( or at least used to be ) sold in united states are in fact false siamese algae eaters . it is also common for shipments of siamese algae eater to contain both siamese algae eaters and false siamese algae eater . this is not surprising as the species live in the same areas and young specimens of the two species school together . you can tell the two species apart by the following facts :
otocinclus catfish care guide - otocinclus vittatus - best nano algae eater . great for brown algae .
the siamese algae eater is an interesting and fun fish to watch , especially when in their natural habitat , being a planted community aquarium . these algae eaters are not to be confused with the chinese algae eater
the siamese algae eater is one of the best algae eater fish . sometimes it is confused with other similar fish like the flying fox . אוכל אצות סיאמי , שועל מעופף , אצות באקווריום
the black horizontal band doesn ' t go all the way to the tail fin on a false siamese algae eater .
right now you are bound to think “ does it really matter if i get the true siamese algae eater or the false one ? ” . the answer is that it very well might . the false siamese algae eater is not as good an algae eater as the true one and more importantly is more aggressive towards other fish species than the siamese algae eater . it is therefore much less suitable for a community aquarium with friendly fish .
the true siamese algae eater ( crossocheilus siamensis ) is one of the most popular algae eaters , especially to help control nuisance algaes in planted . . .
the siamese algae eater is native to thailand and the malay peninsula . it is the only know species to eat red algae and can be a good ally to have when fighting a number of nasty algae such as red algae and brush algae .
in addition , the dorsal fin of the flying fox is more deeply notched than on the siamese algae eater , although this may be slight .
ok , i ' m sure you can see the differences right off the bat between a siamese and chinese algae eater , so i ' m not going to get into that much . but as you can see , the false siamensis and flying fox are very similar in apperance to a true siamese algae eater .
siamese algae eaters need to swim to float . if they stop they sink to the bottom .
common name : siamese algae eater , siamese flying fox , flying fox , siamese fox scientific name : crossocheilus siamensis max size : 6 inches / 15 cm ph : 6 . 5 - 7 ( tolerates a much larger range span ) temperature : 75 - 79˚f / 24 - 26˚c
the flying fox has a smoother edge to the black stripe running along its body — the one on the siamese algae eater has a more ragged edge — with the area above the stripe tending to be uniformly coloured . the scales in this area of the siamese algae eater have dark margins , imparting a net - like pattern .
the chief difference is a large fleshy flap in the corner of the mouth in the flying fox ( epalzeorhynchos kalopterus ) that’s absent in the siamese algae eater ( crossocheilus siamensis ) .
more commonly referred to as the carp family . these bottom - dwelling algae eaters are not to be confused with the chinese algae eater or plecostomus , two other popular varieties of algae eaters among freshwater aquarium owners . the siamese algae eater is indigenous to the main lands of southeast asia including the mekong and chao phraya river basins . they inhabit streams and rivers and will spread into flooded out lowland jungle areas of the malay peninsula during the rainy season .
siamese algae eaters are technically omnivores but lean quite far toward the herbivore side of the spectrum . the algae growth in your aquarium alone will not provide an adequate foods source . sinking food wafers and algae pellets or dried algae sheets will help insure they receive enough food to keep them healthy and full of vigor . siamese algae eaters will readily nibble at green leafy vegetables like lettuce and spinach . these make excellent supplemental food items .
some tips and information on keeping the siamese algae eater - sae . like and subscribe ! music :
drops of h2o ( the filtered water treatment )
by j . lang ( feat . airtone ) urltoken is licensed under a creative commons license : urltoken
siamese algae eater are a medium sized member of the carp family . these fish generally reach a maximum adult length of 6 inches in an aquarium setting . they have slender torpedo shaped bodies with transparent fins . these fish have silver color palettes with a single horizontal stripe beginning in front of their eyes and terminating at the base of the caudal fin . siamese algae eaters have a double set of barbels . barbles are a distinguishing characteristic of the carp family .
another big difference is in behaviour . both the false siamensis and flying fox are solitary , and may become aggressive to others of its kind . the siamese algae eater , on the other hand , is a peaceful schoaler , and does better in a small group of 4 - 6 .
this species is among a handful of near - identical congeners that are traded as ‘siamese algae - eater’ ( often abbreviated to ‘sae’ ) , ‘siamese flying fox’ and ‘crossocheilus siamensis’ . recent work has shown that name to be a synonym of epalzeorhynchos siamensis which was described from tadi province , southern ( peninsular ) thailand by smith ( 1931 ) before being moved to crossocheilus by bănărescu ( 1986 ) .
this species is as earlier mentioned a good algae eater , but in most aquariums they will need other food as well as there simply isn ' t enough algae to sustain a school of siamese algae eaters . they willingly accept all types of live , frozen and flake food . feed them a varied diet with a lot of vegetable matter . if given too little green food in the aquarium they might hurt the plants . young specimens are better algae eaters while older specimens seem to like other food more .
common name : siamese algae eater scientific name : crossocheilus siamensis family : cyprinidae origin : south east asia size : 5 - 6 inches / 12 - 15 cm ph : 7 . 0 - 8 . 0 temperature : 74 - 80 f temperament : peaceful great fish for eating nuisance black / beard algae . excellent in planted aquariums and should be kept in groups of 3 or more .
finally , one last thing i ' ve read about and also observed in my tank concerns the peculiar way a siamese algae eater rests . it doesn ' t lie flat on it ' s belly but keeps propped up slightly with its tail , pelvic and pectoral fins ; prefering low , dense plants like cryptocorynes .
i observed mine doing this very thing the other evening , so it seems only appropriate to end this article with a picture of 3 of my siamese algae eaters resting in the dim evening lights .
the easiest and most apparent difference is the horizontal black stripe running down the body . both the false siamensis and flying fox have a nice smooth black stripe topped with a gold stripe . the true siamese algae eater has a ragged , almost zig - zag black stripe running to it ' s tail , and no gold stripe .
the next thing to look at is the mouth . admittedly it ' s hard to see in the photos , but on close inspection you ' ll notice that the false siamensis and flying fox both have twin pairs of barbells ( the little whisker by their mouths ) , but a true siamese algae eater only has 1 pair .
how to identify the siames algae eater . recently i had the luck of running across 6 beautiful little siamese algae eaters , mistakenly labeled at the pet store as flying foxes . knowing their true identity i immediately bought all 6 , and now that they ' ve settled and i ' ve gotten some good pictures , i ' d like to share with you all some tips on identifying this amazing little fish .
the siamese algae eater is generally considered to be the best all - around algae eater available to aquarists . unfortunately it is easily confused with other similar species ( usually
false siamensis
epalzeorhynchus sp . ) , and is often mislabeled in stores . most of the fish i ' ve seen in canada sold under the name
siamese algae eater
are really epalzeorhynchus sp . a relatively peaceful fish , especially when young , it can become agressive to its own species as it ages , and its quick , darting movements can stress out some more sensitive fish , such as dwarf cichlids or discus . a very hardy fish , it is easy to keep and feed , eating both algae and just about anything else put into the tank , such as flake food , pellets , live foods , parboiled vegetables , etc . it does a diligent job of removing algae from plants without harming them , as well as from decorations and aquarium glass . considered by this aquarist as a necessity in any well - planted aquarium . cover the tank carefully however , as these fish are strong jumpers .
siamese algae eaters leave most plants alone but might eat duckweed ( lemna minor ) and the roots of the water hyacinth . they are best kept in schools . true siamese algae eaters are peaceful and can be kept in community tanks with most other friendly fish . avoid keeping them with long finned fish as they might bite the fins on long finned fish . the aquarium should be at least 25 gallon / 100 l .
siamese algae eaters make excellent additions to a community tank . they have peaceful temperaments and quite frequently ignore the activities of fish in the upper levels of your tank . they should not , however , be housed with fish with long , flowing fins like angelfish and bettas . they are reputed fin nippers . unlike many bottom dwelling species , the siamese algae eater exhibits no sign of territorial aggression toward conspecifics . multiples will school together in home aquariums . it is in fact recommended that these fish be raised in schools . they have a particular affinity to broad leafed aquarium plants and will frequently be found resting atop of them , especially when they are younger . adult fish are more prone to rest on the aquarium substrate . these fish will require a minimum tank size of 25 gallons . the average lifespan of a siamese algae eater is 5 - 7 years but they have been documented to live as long as 10 years .
the siamese algae eater is a hardy fish that can adapt to a wide variety of living conditions as long as extremes are avoided , but they do best in planted aquariums with densely planted areas as well as open areas . siamese algae eaters wants to have at least a few broad leafed plants in the aquarium since they like to rest on top of such leafs . young specimens also use narrow leaves for this . if not provided with suitable plants they rest on the bottom . adult fish are more prone to rest on the bottom even if suitable plants are available .
siamese algae eaters a brief description and benefits of keeping this fish . sea ' s were kept in this small tank only for a week , to remove some bba algae which appeared after the water output flow was rendered and some dead spots were created . music by : andrew komarnjicki etsy shop : urltoken
description - urltoken one of the best known algae eater in aquarium . peaceful and attractive fish . temperature : 20 - 26 °c ph : 6 - 7 . 5 tank : min 100 l fish size : 10 - 15 cm .
now observe the color of the fish itself . you ' ll see that both the false siamensis and flying fox are more colorful , with some yellow or red markings to the fins . the siamese algae eater is rather blandish gold - brown - silver . but a distinctive marking is along the back , where the black outlines the scales , making the top of the fish appear retulicar .
how well do otocinclus catfish eat algae ? a little experiment from the den . . . .
although the body stripe becomes paler when the fish are sparring it doesn’t change in width , and a further simple distinguishing trait is the presence of a dark blotch immediately in front of the anal fin on the underside of the fish . this fish is the one most often referred to as ‘siamese algae eater’ in literature and online , but because it varies slightly with c . langei sensu stricto the possibility that it’s an undescribed species cannot be discounted .
a wonderful fish that is known to even eat red algae . not to be confused with the flying fox or false siamese algae eater . these fish are jumpers though , and won ' t hesitate to leap out of the water . a good cover for the tank is required . new owners of this fish might be unnecessarily distressed by their unusual sleeping behavior . it is not uncommon for these fish to sleep nose down , even upside down , either supported by water flow or jammed into or precariously perched upon aquarium decor and equipment . a true sign of distress however , often indicating , stress from water chemistry issues or stress from persecution by other fish is a blanching out of the black lateral stripe , something that should be taken very seriously , and potential causes investigated immediately . siamese algae eaters regularly blanching out are often only hours away from death .
extremely pleased with my order of 6 siamese algae eaters . they are all very healthy and have acclimated to my tank nicely . shipping process was smooth and package arrived on time tightly packed inside a heated enclosure , due to cold weather conditions . thanks again ! you’ve got my attention .
niederle , j . , 2009 - the aquarium gazette 8 my anabasis with red - algae eaters known as crossocheilus siamensis .
lives mainly in mountain streams and brooks with gravel bottoms . feeds on algae and other plants ( ref . 45563 ) .
siamese algae eaters are hard to sex but females are fatter than males and look more rounded when viewed from above . no other differences are known . nothing is known about breeding this species in aquariums without the aid of hormones . it is reasonable to assume that changes in the water ( temperature , ph , hardness ) and current conditions might trigger spawning in well conditioned fish .
arrived alive and in good condition . they do nibble on black algae but they & apos ; ll eat cucumbers , zucchini and fish food as well .
came in great and did well . they seem to be doing the job that i bought them for , eating the black hair algae in my tank !
‘crossocheilus siamensis’ ( see ‘notes’ ) is famed as a consumer of ‘black brush’ algae ( bba ) , also known as ‘red’ or ‘beard’ algae . these members of the division rhodophyta can be otherwise difficult to remove once established in aquaria so the ‘species’ has achieved huge popularity among hobbyists who maintain planted set - ups .
siamese algae eaters accept a wide variety of water conditions but neutral to slightly acidic water is preferred even if they tolerate ph 5 . 5 - 8 . 0 . the recommended temperature is between 75 and 79˚f / 24 and 26˚c . don’t keep this species in very hard water . they prefer well circulated clean water . it is recommended to oxygenate the water as they like oxygen rich water .
came in the day after i ordered . arrived very healthy and adjusted to the community immediately . they have severely reduced the black beard algae in the tank .
) unless the aquarium is large and well planted , because that species is very aggressive towards all its relatives . i have kept these fish in my 200 l community tank for years bacause this slender algae eating barb is the only known fish that eats the red algae which grows in my heavily planted tank from time to time .
frank , neil ; liisa sarakontu .
algae eating cyprinids from thailand and neighboring areas
. the aquatic gardener : journal of the aquatic gardeners association . aquatic gardeners association .
fish are often bought as algae eaters because they will readily eat algae when young , but with age , their preference changes towards meatier foods , such as prepared aquarium foods , frozen crustaceans and small fish . this change is also reflected in behaviour , which becomes aggressive with age , especially so towards others of their own kind and fish with similar colors .
they were delivered timely and in good health . they came in separate bags exactly as i requested because they were going into different tanks . it took them about a week to do any algae eating , but they now have done a nice job of cleaning up the hair algae . they are very cute and one likes to school with my large school of rummy nose tetras !
) is an active and fast swimmer , which thrives best in schools but can also be kept alone or in pairs . it is a strong jumper and should not be kept in uncovered tank , because it will eventually jump . siamese algae eaters often chase one another , but they never get hurt in these fights . as they are not aggressive , they can be kept in any community tank big enough . their active behavior might stress some sensitive species like dwarf cichlids and prevent them from spawning . they should not be kept with red - tailed sharks (
arrived alive , very healthy , and settled right in . only problem is they don & apos ; t do much eating of the hair algae i bought them for . they seem to eat most anything else except live plants . my otocinclus eat as much of it as they do , very odd
. it is a beautiful , peaceful little schooler that more than anything else is famous for being possibly the only aquarium fish in the world that will eat black brush ( red ) algae . the problem is they ' re not easy ( or downright impossible ) to breed in captivity , and easily mixed up with
in nature crossocheilus species are aufwuchs grazers feeding on algae , diatoms and other phytoplankton , plus associated microorganisms . the use of high - protein foods in the aquarium should therefore be avoided as the fish are unable to metabolise some components efficiently ; regular , prolonged consumption can result in excessive deposits of fat and even organ degeneration .
siamese algae eaters appreciate the company of their own species and may wane and become overly timid if kept in solitary conditions . this is a communicative species that requires shoal numbers for their full personality to be appreciated , they will sleep in groups , and feed in coordinating lines and rows . they will shoal defensively . this is a consistently active fish that may annoy fish of a more delicate temperament such as discus , and corydoras with their incessant flight behaviour . the author recommends an aquarium of at least 40 gallons for four adult specimens . the positive aspects of allowing this fish a social life cannot be ignored as regards their health and vigor . this fish has nothing in common with the antisocial and territorial flying fox as regards personality , and is consistently peaceful throughout its life . scuffles cause no real injuries .
we had problems with black bearded algae in our 85 liter tank . so we bought 4 sae ' s when they were just a couple of centimeters long . they quickly grew to maximum size ( 12 - 14 cm ) , and we had to get a new aquarium . we bought a 530 liter aquarium , and the fishes are now very happy , i think . we have had no problems with black bearded algae after the sae ' s moved in . have in mind that they grow quite large , and should have plenty of space to move on . they are so incredibly fast , that i call them
my 4 small jet fighters
. they are nice to other fish !
i have had my sae for about 10 years . he has grown so big ( about 13 cm and has outlived every fish in my tank . although i have read that he is a good algae eater , mine is a big fat lazy opportunist . he eats more processed food and live food than all my fish put together and has a big fat gut . he or she is also very territorial and won ' t allow any of the fish to have a space of their own . i have a 300 liter tank filled with sweet little community fish , angelfish , a kribensis mother and some grown babies , and some rams . he lays ownership to any spot that another fish wants . i do have to say that he doesn ' t allow other fish to fight . if he sees fish getting aggressive toward one another , he is right there to break it up . he is absolutely a pain in my tank , but i love him .
i have a school of seven sae ' s in my 220 liter community aquarium . they range in size from about 6 cm to 8 cm . i believe these are about the most industrious algae eaters i ' ve seen in my 55 years as a fish hobbyist . i originally purchased them because i read somewhere on the internet that they were the only species that ate what has come to be known as black bearded algae , which is an unsightly pest that is very difficult to get rid of . i had this scourge all over some driftwood and all over my live plants , and it was one of the factors that led to the demise of many of my plants . the sae ' s went to work the instant i put them in the tank , and within a few weeks the driftwood looked like it had just come from the processor - it sparkled a bright brown color . they also went to work on the plants when they got tired of polishing the driftwood . within a few days those leaves that were not destroyed by the algae began to look greener and brighter . the algae was almost gone , and there were no residual holes where the sae ' s had been feasting . since this aquarium is located next to my computer , i get to spend a lot of time watching the fish , and i have never seen the sae ' s resting . they constantly forage on every surface in the aquarium . i have found these little custodians to be a peaceful and most useful addition to this community aquarium , which is populated with several species of near adult rainbowfish , adult congo tetras , adult emperor tetras , and several half grown apistogramma species .
these are the hardest working , most beautiful cleaner fish you can get . i think they are much more attractive than the false siamensis and cae ' s with whom they are commonly confused . once you know what to look for it , is easy to make a distinction . the main thing to look at as the stripe . true sae ' s have a serrated stripe that runs all the way to the tip of the tail . i have 10 sae ' s in my 380 liter and they are constantly looking for algae or leftover food to nibble on . they never stop ! i highly recommend these to anyone with the room for them . they get quite large , i ' ve seen some about 14 cm ! they are a must for a planted tank , as they clean the leaves so well , but cause no damage to the plant whatsoever . they eagerly take flake food , but should always have some sort of vegetable matter in their diet , so if they run out of algae , supplement with sinking algae tabs , mine love them . sae ' s are very peaceful toward other fish , but i ' ve noticed mine can occasionally be territiorial to each other , although i don ' t think they have the ability to cause injury .
this can be further furnished with roots and branches arranged to form a network of nooks , crannies and shaded spots . while the majority of plant species will fail to thrive in such surroundings hardy types such as microsorum , bolbitis or anubias spp . can be grown attached to the décor and bright lighting will promote the growth of algae upon which the fish will graze . in this kind of environment it will display more natural behaviour and can be kept alongside other species that enjoy similar conditions .
presumably this saleability is also one reason why several fishes , including c . langei , are offered under the name . these do browse on bba but to varying extents depending on species and in some cases the availability of alternative food sources . c . atrilimes , for example , shows a preference for fine - leaved , higher plants such as vesicularia spp . but will also feed on various types of algae . c . langei sensu amplo is the most efficient consumer of bba although some reports state that only younger , softer growths are eaten and that the fish should be introduced prior to any potential outbreak .
occur in medium to large - sized rivers and enters flooded fields ( ref . 12975 ) . found on solid surfaces in flowing waters . mostly herbivorous , feed largely on algae , periphyton and phytoplankton , but also take insect larvae or zooplankton . in current , they hold onto fixed objects with their sucker - like mouth . for breathing , water is pumped into the gill cavity through a small spiracle and across the gills for gas exchange . large fish are sold in the markets , smaller ones are used to make prahoc ( ref . 12693 ) . aquarium keeping : needs plant feed ; adults territorial ; in groups of 5 or more individuals ; minimum aquarium size 60 cm ( ref . 51539 ) .
occur in medium to large - sized rivers and enters flooded fields ( ref . 12975 ) . found on solid surfaces in flowing waters . mostly herbivorous , feed largely on algae , periphyton and phytoplankton , but also take insect larvae or zooplankton . in current , they hold onto fixed objects with their sucker - like mouth . for breathing , water is pumped into the gill cavity through a small spiracle and across the gills for gas exchange . large fish are sold in the markets , smaller ones are used to make prahoc ( ref . 12693 ) . aquarium keeping : needs plant feed ; adults territorial ; in groups of 5 or more individuals ; minimum aquarium size 60 cm ( ref . 51539 ) .
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first off let me say that i ' ve searched the internet extensively for info on sae ' s , and i have to admit i am amazed at the conflicting information concerning this innocent little fish . as with everything on the internet , easily half the information posted is either inaccurate or outdated , so it is very possible that something i post is also incorrect . so this is sort of my disclaimer : to the best of my knowledge , what i ' m writing is as accurate as information as i can find .
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an unidentified species of striped crossocheilus feeding in the songgaria river , western thailand .
crossocheilus : from the ancient greek κροσσός ( krossós ) , meaning ‘fringe , tassel’ , and χείλος ( cheílos ) , meaning ‘lip’ , in reference to the barbels on the upper lip in members of this genus .
langei : named in honour of e . a . lange , acting health officer and hospital inspector , dutch east indian army , who forwarded the type specimen to bleeker .
currently considered to occur in borneo , peninsular malaysia , southern and western thailand , and possibly southern myanmar . the distribution of laterally - striped crossocheilus spp . , particularly in thailand , requires further study as some populations may represent undescribed species .
inhabits flowing streams and tributaries with substrates of boulders , pebbles , gravel and sand , often in areas with submerged driftwood or tree roots . the clear , often shallow , water allows sunlight to penetrate the surface and the development of a rich biofilm covering submerged surfaces upon which the fish browse .
it is thought to undergo seasonal migrations during which it can be found in deeper , more turbid water .
this species will do well in most well - maintained tanks but is best - suited to a set - up designed to resemble a flowing river or stream , with a substrate of variably - sized rocks , gravel and some large water - worn boulders .
like many fishes that naturally inhabit running waters it’s intolerant to the accumulation of organic wastes and requires spotless water at all times in order to thrive . it also does best if there is a high level of dissolved oxygen and a decent level of water movement in the tank so a external filters , powerheads or similar should be employed in order to obtain the desired effect .
a good quality dried product ( s ) with added spirulina or similar is ideal but plenty of fresh vegetable matter should also be included in the diet . shelled peas , blanched courgette , spinach and chopped fruit all make good additions to the menu . once settled into the aquarium the fish sometimes ascend into midwater to feed and in a set - up as described above will often be seen browsing the biofilm that tends to form on the rockwork .
generally peaceful and can be maintained alongside many of the more popular species in the hobby although it is perhaps preferable to select fishes from from one of its native countries or rivers . possibilities from thailand alone include botia rostrata and crossocheilus reticulatus plus various cyclocheilichthys , devario , mystacoleucus , rasbora , garra , homaloptera , lepidocephalichthys , nemacheilus , syncrossus , yasuhikotakia and schistura species .
crossocheilus spp . are typically found swimming in loose aggregations in nature and can exhibit shy or skittish behaviour if kept singly or in small numbers . they are shoaling , rather than schooling , fishes which develop a distinct pecking order and are best - maintained in a group of six or more since weaker individuals may be bullied incessantly if smaller numbers are kept . you’ll be rewarded with a more natural - looking display plus interesting behaviour from the fish as they interact with one another .
sexually mature females are normally thicker - bodied than males but it’s impossible to accurately sex young fish by external characters .
not thought to have occured in the hobby although the young fish widely available in the trade are assumed to be farmed via the use of hormones . members of this genus are known to undergo seasonal reproductive migrations in nature , moving upstream during the dryer months and in the opposite direction when water levels rise .
the latter name is not valid , however , and is a synonym of epalzeorhynchos siamensis which is itself a synonym of crossocheilus oblongus , a species described from java . c . oblongus is currently accepted to range throughout indochina and the sunda islands but its identity is unclear although its name is routinely applied to fish in the aquarium trade . it was described as a blueish fish with yellow fins and is almost certainly not the ‘sae’ in the aquarium hobby .
separating the species found on sale as ‘c . siamensis’ is tricky but differences do exist if combinations of characters are considered . c . atrilimes is most - easily identified by observing the distance between the vent and anal fin which in this species is only 1 . 5 - 2 scale widths compared to 2 - 3 . 5 in other species .
the black lateral stripe runs from the snout to the tip of the caudal fin ; the eye is pale brown above the pupil and white below ; maxillary barbels are not visible ; the lateral line is curved ; the fins are a pale dusky yellow colour . depending on mood this species has the ability to change the appearance of the dark body stripe , most obviously during bouts of sparring when it becomes much broader and paler in colour .
c . langei sensu amplo seems to be the other commonly - traded , laterally - striped crossocheilus and can be told apart from c . atrilimes by the following characters : the eye is reddish - golden above the pupil and white below ; it has two pairs of barbels ; the lateral line is essentially straight and passes through the centre of the dark body stripe ; the fins are brownish .
the third fish in the group is an undescribed species sometimes referred to as c . sp . ‘citripinnis’ . it’s a larger fish growing to 150 mm sl and possessing a clearly visible pair of maxillary barbels . the fins are lemon yellow in colour , this becoming more intense as the fish mature ; the dark body atripe doesn’t alter in width or colour when the fish are sparring ; the lateral line is curved and the overall body shape is similar to c . atrilmes meaning they’re easily confused as juveniles . there may also be other , potentially undescribed , species from thailand being traded as c . siamensis but as yet no detailed study has been conducted .
in 2009 tan and kottelata described a new laterally - striped species , c . obscurus , from the batang hari river drainage in sumatra . this species also grows relatively large ( to “at least” 5 . 6″ / 14 . 2 cm ) and is further distinguished as follows : “one pair of rostral barbels , no maxillary barbels ; midlateral stripe with edges not sharply contrasted , slightly curved downward , obscured in largest individuals , continued on median caudal - fin rays , reaching posterior margin ; no black mark between anus and anal fin ; mouth wide ( 30 - 36 % hl ) ” . it’s possible that this one has already appeared in the trade labelled with a different name .
c . oblongus is another name widely misused in the trade but that species has seemingly never been exported and was described as a blueish fish with yellow fins . it’s native to streams of gunung salak mountain in bogor regency , west java , indonesia where collecting of ornamental fishes is almost non - existent . other species of laterally - striped crossocheilus also exist and may be available from time - to - time but are more easily told apart from the group described above .
in c . nigriloba , for example , the dark body stripe uniquely breaks up into a series of blotches when the fish are sparring , stressed or sleeping and the lower caudal fin lobe contains dark pigmentation suffused with red , while c . burmicanus exhibits a patch of blue colouration at the base of the pectoral fins .
to add further confusion the vaguely - similar garra cambodgiensis ( itself often referred to incorrectly as g . taeniata ) is usually sold with the name ‘false sae’ although this one is easily - identifiable as the dark lateral stripe ends at the caudal peduncle , all barbels are tiny and it has a disc - like lower jaw which sometimes develops bright red colouration on the outer lips .
epalzeorhynchos kalopterus is sometimes misidentified as a crossocheilus sp . but exhibits several distinguishing traits , the most obvious of which are the characteristic white - edged , red and black coloured fins . also comparable are the paracrossochilus species from the island of borneo but these are almost unknown in aquaria .
members of crossocheilus are characterised by possessing 8 branched dorsal fin rays , immobile rostral lobes , lacking a dorsal spine and by the fact that the upper and lower lips aren’t connected , the upper being attached to the lower jaw via a thin membrane .
bleeker , p . , 1860 - acta societatis regiae scientiarum indo - neêrlandicae v . 7 ( n . s . , v . 2 ) : 1 - 492 + i - xiii de visschen van den indischen archipel , beschreven en toegelicht . deel ii .
bănărescu , p . m . , 1986 - travaux du muséum d ' histoire naturelle 28 : 141 - 161 a review of the species of crossocheilus , epalzeorhynchos and paracrossochilus ( pisces , cyprinidae ) .
kottelat , m . , 2003 - raffles bulletin of zoology 51 ( 2 ) : 399 - 401 nomenclatural status of crossocheilus burmanicus , c . horai and c . multirastellatus ( osteichthyes : cyprinidae ) .
kottelat , m . , 2013 - the raffles bulletin of zoology supplement 27 : 1 - 663 the fishes of the inland waters of southeast asia : a catalogue and core bibiography of the fishes known to occur in freshwaters , mangroves and estuaries .
ng , h . h . and h . - h . tan , 1999 - zoological studies 38 ( 3 ) : 350 - 366 the fishes of the endau drainage , peninsular malaysia with descriptions of two new species of catfishes ( teleostei : akysidae , bagridae ) .
rainboth , w . j . , 1996 - fao , rome : 1 - 265 fishes of the cambodian mekong . fao species identification field guide for fishery purposes .
su , r . - f . , j . - x . yang and y . - r . chen , 2000 - the raffles bulletin of zoology 48 ( 2 ) : 215 - 221 a review of the chinese species of crossocheilus , with description of a new species ( ostariophysi : cyprinidae ) .
tan , h . h . and m . kottelat , 2009 - ichthyological exploration of freshwaters 20 ( 1 ) : 13 - 69 the fishes of the batang hari drainage , sumatra , with description of six new species .
article about “hormone free” breeding in the current issue of the german amazon magazine # 47 pp . 64 – 66 .
these two species are often confused . dr heok hee ng explains how to tell them apart .
since examination of structures of mouthparts is very difficult , if not impossible with live fishes , the only other way to tell them apart are slight differences to colour pattern .
the fins of the flying fox are generally yellowish , and orange for the caudal fin , with black highlights on the dorsal , pelvic and anal fins .
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this is a hardy species that can adapt to a multitude of living conditions . it is , however , only prudent to provide you with what would be considered premium water parameters for this species .
these fish thrive in softer water with a neutral to slightly acid ph factor . a ph level anywhere in the range of 5 . 5 - 8 . 0 is considered ideal . they prefer water temperatures between
75 - 79˚f . well circulated water with plenty of flow and a high oxygen content will simulate their natural habitat .
the males and females of this species look very similar in appearance . females tend to be a little more rounded than males . this species rarely breeds in home aquariums . their seems to be no information available as to whether or not these fish are commercially bred to supply the demand created from the fish hobby trade , which would tend to indicate that they are not .
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greek , gyrinos = tadpole + greek , cheilos = lip ( ref . 45335 )
freshwater ; demersal ; ph range : 6 . 0 - 8 . 0 ; dh range : 5 - 19 ; potamodromous ( ref . 51243 ) . tropical ; 25°c - 28°c ( ref . 1672 )
maturity : l m ? range ? - ? cm max length : 28 . 0 cm sl male / unsexed ; ( ref . 27732 )
has 9 branched dorsal rays ; 36 - 40 lateral line scales ; no dark spots on pelvic and anal fins ( ref . 27732 ) ; a small dark spot always present behind spiracle ; sometimes tiny tubercles on side of head and large tubercles confined to snout ( ref . 12693 ) .
rainboth , w . j . , 1996 . fishes of the cambodian mekong . fao species identification field guide for fishery purposes . fao , rome , 265 p . ( ref . 12693 )
phylogenetic diversity index ( ref . 82805 ) : pd 50 = 0 . 7500 [ uniqueness , from 0 . 5 = low to 2 . 0 = high ] .
bayesian length - weight : a = 0 . 00389 ( 0 . 00180 - 0 . 00842 ) , b = 3 . 12 ( 2 . 94 - 3 . 30 ) , in cm total length , based on all lwr estimates for this body shape ( ref . 93245 ) .
trophic level ( ref . 69278 ) : 2 . 5 ±0 . 25 se ; based on food items .
vulnerability ( ref . 59153 ) : low vulnerability ( 24 of 100 ) .
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the middle / lower mekong ( thailand , cambodia , lao pdr , viet nam ( e . g . , the mekong delta ( electricity viet nam 2010 ) and the
and from the northern malay peninsula ( southern thailand , peninsular malaysia , and probably associated parts of the mekong drainage in myanmar ( mekong myanmar ( the mae kok , mae sai , and kengtung ) ) .
28 . 0 cm sl ( male / unsexed ; ( ref . 27732 ) )
has 9 branched dorsal rays ; 36 - 40 lateral line scales ; no dark spots on pelvic and anal fins ( ref . 27732 ) ; a small dark spot always present behind spiracle ; sometimes tiny tubercles on side of head and large tubercles confined to snout ( ref . 12693 ) .
inhabits flowing streams and tributaries with substrates of boulders , pebbles , gravel and sand , often in areas with submerged driftwood or tree roots ( rainboth 1996 ) . it is thought to undergo seasonal migrations during which it can be found in deeper , more turbid water and is known to enter temporarily - inundated zones .
occurs in medium to large - sized rivers and enters flooded fields ( taki 1978 ) . it is a good indicator of stream / river quality ( c . vidthayanon pers . comm . 2011 ) .
demersal ; potamodromous ( ref . 51243 ) ; freshwater ; ph range : 6 . 0 - 8 . 0 ; dh range : 5 - 19
potamodromous . migrating within streams , migratory in rivers , e . g . saliminus , moxostoma , labeo . migrations should be cyclical and predictable and cover more than 100 km .
the following is a representative barcode sequence , the centroid of all available sequences for this species . there are 3 barcode sequences available from bold and genbank .
below is a sequence of the barcode region cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 ( coi or cox1 ) from a member of the species .
the species has a wide distribution from southern china and southeast asia ( thailand , lao pdr , cambodia and viet nam ) .
populations have declined in some parts of its range ( e . g . , thailand ) as a result of over - exploitation . although considered threatened in china and viet nam , and perhaps naturally rare , it is assessed as least concern at present as it is not thought likely to have declined sufficiently across its range in order to qualify for a threatened category .
it is naturally rare / uncommon in china and southern viet nam ( mekong delta areas ) , but is locally common in viet nam ' s mekong tributaries ( the se san and sre pok ) and the chao phraya - mae khlong basin and the tonle sap basin . populations in thailand have declined ; it was an important component of fish sauce (
although the species may be impacted by dams , not enough is known about its migratory habits to predict the scale of impacts . populations have declined locally , especially in thailand , as a result of a range if factors , including over - exploitation .
more information on the species ecology , threats and distribution is required . listed as a protected animal in yunnan province in 1989 and considered endangered ( wang 1998 ) , and considered rare in viet nam ( huynh 1998 ) .
it is of interest as a local food source and for the aquarium trade , being first imported into germany in 1956 .
the fish spends most of its time on flat surfaces , such as rocks , in flowing water , using its unusually formed inferior mouth to attach itself to rocks in stronger flows .
the fish are sold in local markets as a food source and small fish are used in preparation of prahok .
has been recorded as reaching at least 28 cm ( 11 . 02 in )
and is the only species in the genus to have 9 branched dorsal rays and 36 - 40 lateral line scales .
the mouth is inferior with a special
sucker
modification which allows the fish to attach itself to smooth surfaces . no barbels are present .
wild type colour varies from pale grey to olive , with darker markings along the lateral line which vary from a solid stripe with alternating higher and lower extensions to uneven dots . the belly is usually paler than the base colour . some darker markings may also be observed along the back and on the caudal fin , but no dark markings occur on the pelvic and anal fins .
and is sometimes misidentified as one of these species . it is available in a number of colour morphs , including wild type , gold , marble ,