The World’s Rarest Fish: The Devil’s Hole Pupfish

by | Nov 3, 2014 | Science | 0 comments

devilsholepupfishThe Devil’s Hole Pupfish is currently the World’s rarest fish. It is estimated that there are fewer than 100 of the species left. The numbers fluctuate depending on the season. These 1-inch fish live in Devils Hole, in Death Valley National park. The fish reside solely in the top 25-30 ft of the small, geothermal aquifer fed pool in a limestone cavern, which has to be one of the smallest habitat’s there are.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6h82PIi_-0&w=420&h=315]

The question explored by Jason Bittel in the article is are these fish worth saving? With some a small population of super small fish, the author ponders a typical perspective in todays society. With all the resources needed to save these fish…. does it make sense? Bittel thinks so, and so do I. Luckily so does the government. In 2013, the Fish and Wildlife Service opened a $4.5 Million dollar facility, the Ash Meadows Desert Fish Conservation Facility, with the goal to re-create the conditions in the Hole to aid in conservation. I think  this article raises some interesting questions for conservation. My position is that we should make every effort to save all species, from the smallest to the largest. What are you thoughts? MORE

  • Francis Yupangco

    Francis is a marine biologist with an MBA and over 20 years of professional aquarium experience. Francis is the former Aquatic Development Manager at Hagen USA., makers of Fluval brand aquarium products. He co-stars on Nat Geo WILD's reality TV series Fish Tank Kings where he is the resident "Fish Geek" and was Director of Marketing at Living Color Aquariums. He is an avid explorer having visited over 45 countries and lived in 7. At 17, he was among the youngest aquarists ever hired by the Vancouver Aquarium, where he worked for 7 years. His aquatic biology experience ranges from larval fish rearing to the design, construction and operational management of renowned public aquariums around the world. Francis is currently head of marketing at the world's largest vertically integrated fish farming company.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Upcoming Events