After a long absence, the longfin dace returns to the Santa Cruz River

By Ron Dungan
Published: Wednesday, March 23, 2022 - 5:57pm

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longfin dace
Pima County
The longfin dace is being reintroduced to the lower Santa Cruz River.

During the last couple of years, Pima County has revived a stretch of the once-dry Santa Cruz River.

The revival continues with the return of a native fish. 

The Santa Cruz has seen a revival of birds and other kinds of wildlife since it started to flow, including the endangered Gila topminnow.

But the longfin dace was missing. Though not endangered, it is a native to the river and part of a long-term plan to increase biodiversity.

The fish, which rarely exceeds 2 inches, is found in Arizona, New Mexico and parts of western Mexico.

It’s being reintroduced to the lower Santa Cruz River this week as part of a collaboration between Pima County, Arizona Game & Fish, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the University of Arizona.

Environment