Hesperoleucus symmetricus (Baird & Girard, 1854)
California roach
Hesperoleucus symmetricus
photo by Allison, A.

Family:  Leuciscidae (Minnows), subfamily: Laviniinae
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed); max. reported age: 5 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater
Distribution:  North America: Sacramento-San Joaquin, Russian, Pajaro-Salinas and smaller coastal drainages in California, USA.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10. Mouth slightly subterminal; body deep, compressed, tapering to narrow caudal peduncle; dorsal-fin origin behind pelvic-fin origin; caudal fin large; scales on lateral line 47-63; dorsal fin with 7-10 rays; pharyngeal teeth 0,5-4,0; dusky gray to steel blue above; dark stripe along side; silver white below; and breeding individuals with red orange-chin, gill cover, and anal and paired-fin bases (Ref. 86798).
Biology:  Inhabits rocky pools of headwaters, creeks and small to medium rivers (Ref. 86798).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 February 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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