This disappears a bit downstream. Pit-digging consists mostly of swimming very rapidly in place so that the flow is directed downward, washing away debris and small portions of substrate in order to expose edible organisms. Pits are jealously defended, and while females also exhibit pit-digging, it is much more common in males. Females and juveniles are invariably ejected by a male fish which decides to take over. Not only is food uncovered, heavier particles, sometimes food items, tend to accumulate in the bottom of the pit.
Food seems to consist of diatoms, algae, amphipods, ostracods and gastropods, in that order.
Most pupfish are considered to be mostly vegetarian, although some will subsist as either carnivores or herbivores according to what is available. Apparently the life span of C. bovinus in nature is about 20-23 months. Spawning occurs throughout the year, but reaches its peak in mid or late July. Spawning activity increases sharply above 24 o C and begins to decrease above 29 o C. James Cokendolpher, among others, has successfully spawned the Leon Springs pupfish and has reportedly repeated with the second generation stock, although these were lost due to unavoidable circumstances. He reports that spawning is not difficult, although raising the young is more of a problem.