Razorback sucker

The razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) is a fresh water sucker fish found in rivers and lakes in southwestern United States. It can grow to 91 cm (3 ft) in length and is recognisable by the keel between its head and dorsal fin. It used to inhabit much of the Colorado River basin but commercial fishing, river damming and habitat loss have caused great declines in populations. It is now restricted to the Colorado River upstream of the Grand Canyon, and to four lakes, Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, and Lake Powell.
It usually moves from deep water to suitable spawning grounds to breed, and research into its habits and breeding locations is ongoing. It has been a federally protected fish since 1991 and is rated as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are some signs of recovery, with fish being observed below the Grand Canyon in 2012 and 2013.
Category:Animals
Category:Creatures