Teleostei (teleosts) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Leuciscidae (Minnows) > Laviniinae
Etymology: Gila: A river flowing from SW Mejico to south Arizona.
More on authors: Baird & Girard.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; potamodromous (Ref. 51243). Temperate; 42°N - 32°N
North America: Colorado River drainage in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and California in USA; and Mexico.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 62.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 5723)
Gila elegans can be distinguished from similar species Gila cypha by having terminal mouth, angle along anal fin base continues well above caudal fin, more slender caudal peduncle, smaller hump on nape, usually dorsal fin with 10 rays; and 75-99 scales on lateral line. Breeding males with red lower side and pectoral and anal-fin bases (Ref. 86798).
Inhabits flowing pools and backwaters, usually over mud or rock. Streamlined body may suggest occasional occurrence in swift runs (Ref. 86798).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Page, L.M. and B.M. Burr, 2011. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. Boston : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 663p. (Ref. 86798)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01122 (0.00439 - 0.02869), b=3.04 (2.82 - 3.26), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 2.0 ±0.2 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (45 of 100).