Fish

In the desert there are very few fish that survive because there is not enough water.

Desert pupfish

Who would have thought that the almost waterless desert actually has FISH in it? But it is true, and these pupfish live in the pools, marshes, streams and springs of the Sonoran, Mojave, Southern Arizona and Northwest Mexico. There are altogether 13 species of pupfish. The 2.5 inch pupfish are silver with 6-9 dark stripes running down its sides. They are fast growers, for it only takes them 2-3 months to become fully grown. They die very quickly too, normal pupfish only live for 6-9 months, though some can live as long as 1 whole year! Brown and green algae are their favourites. In the winter they hibernate in the mud at the bottom of the pool. Of course, when spring comes, they become active again. When hot summer comes, most pupfish die because the pools they are living in dry up. Some pools don't dry up completely, and the lucky ones survive.

DID YOU KNOW?

During the mating season, male pupfish turn blue!