Woundfin
Photo Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Plagopterus argentissimus
NatureServe conservation status
Global (G-rank): G1
State (S-rank): S1
Utah Wildlife Action Plan status
- SGCN
External links
Species range
This species occurs in Utah only in the Virgin River system in Washington County
Food habits
The Woundfin is an omnivorous and opportunistic minnow that feeds on aquatic invertebrates, algae, and detritus. Its specific diet can vary depending on the season.
Reproductive characteristics
The woundfin is a broadcast spawner with a reproductive cycle triggered by increasing water temperatures and declining spring runoff. They spawn over coarse, rocky substrates, and provide no parental care to their offspring.
Threats or limiting factors
Threats to this species in Utah include flow alterations (e.g., dewatering for agricultural, commercial, and residential development), pollution (from sewage and agricultural run-off), introduced predators (game fishes and turtles), introduced parasites (see Heckman et al. 1987), and introduced competitors (bait fishes) (Deacon 1988).