Breeding Tank. Photo taken by C. Lohrengel, 3/26/2009, San Bernardino NWR HQ, Douglas, AZ

Tank for Eggs and Young. Photo taken by C. Lohrengel, 3/26/2009, San Bernardino NWR HQ, Douglas, AZ

Substrate with Eggs, Photo taken by C. Lohrengel, 3/26/2009, San Bernadino NWR HQ, Douglas, AZ

In February, with the help of Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Fish and Wildlife Resource Conservation Office, San Bernardino NWR set up a captive breeding program for the Yaqui beautiful shiner.  In March, after several weeks of patiently waiting, eggs were discovered on the substrate material placed in the breeding habitat.  Four sets of substrate material were placed in the breeding tank, of which three had eggs.  The beautiful shiner is federally-listed as threatened and is one of several native fish that the refuge is working towards recovering.  Loss of habitat is the main reason for the listing of this species, as well as most fish species in the southwest.  Due to the loss of habitat, the Yaqui beautiful shiner is found only on the San Bernardino NWR in a few of the wetlands created specifically for the benefit of native fish.  The success of a local breeding program will allow for the reintroduction of these fish to areas outside of the refuge.