Collectors also pose a considerable threat to this plant. Monitoring of the plant has been underway since 1986, and attempts are being made to propagate the species in greenhouses to supply the commercial trade. Vol I, pp. The Virgin River chub is a medium-sized minnow that averages about 8 inches in total length but can grow to a length of 18 inches. It has a silvery, elongated body with a narrow tail and 9 to 10 rays on the dorsal, anal, and pelvic fins.
Scales are small and difficult to see.
It is an omnivorous fish, feeding on algae, aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans, and organic detritus. This species is endemic to 134 miles of the Virgin River in southwest Utah, northwest Arizona, and southeast Nevada. The Virgin River chub presently occurs in only 50 miles of the mainstream Virgin River between Mesquite, Clark County, Nevada, and La Verkin Creek near Hurricane, Washington County, Utah. It is most common in deeper areas where waters are swift with boulders and other sorts of cover. It occurs over sand and gravel substrates in water less then 90 degrees fahrenheit, and is very tolerant of high salinity and turbidity.