Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Tui Chub

Synonyms and Other Names: Gila bicolor (Girard, 1856)

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Moyle (1976a); Sigler and Sigler (1987); Page and Burr (1991). Gilbert (1998) listed 12 valid subspecies.

Size: 45 cm.

Native Range: Columbia River drainage, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho, south in Klamath and upper Pit River (Sacramento River drainage), and interior drainages of Nevada and California to Mohave River, southern California (Page and Burr 1991).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Bait bucket releases and intentional stockings for the purpose of restoring or preserving a known rare species. The stocking of San Felipe Creek in California was part of a series of experiments to test the effects of changed environment on meristic and morphometric characters (Miller 1968). Fish introduced into Stone Cabin Valley had been brought in from Twin Springs, in Hot Creek Valley (Hubbs et al. 1974); the purpose of that introduction was not made clear.

Status: Established in California, Nevada; reported from Idaho. Populations of S. b. obesus in Railroad Valley, Nevada now extirpated; eradicated by Nevada Department of Wildlife (Clemmer, personal communication). In California, the San Felipe Creek population survived for two decades before perishing (Miller 1968). Of the 13 introductions in California and Nevada reported by Hoover and St. Amant (1983), only three were deemed a success (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1984b). Unknown in Diamond Lake, Oregon.

Impact of Introduction: In Crowley Lake, California, introduced Lahontan Creek Tui Chubs (S. b. obesus) have hybridized with endangered Owens Tui Chubs (S. b. snyderi) (Moyle 1976a, 1976b). Tui Chubs often overpopulate lakes and reduce or eliminate trout, and compete with trout and largemouth bass for food (Burns 1966e).

Remarks: The Mohave Tui Chub S. b. mohavensis was nearly extirpated through hybridization with the introduced Arroyo Chub Gila orcuttii (Moyle 1976b). Both the Mohave Tui Chub and the Owens Tui Chub are federally listed endangered subspecies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993a). Prior to the elimination of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service candidate species list, sixteen subspecies of Siphateles bicolor were under review for Federal listing as endangered or threatened taxa (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1994a). Only the Cowhead Lake Tui Chub S. b. vaccaceps is on the current candidate list (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1997). Some native populations of the Owens Tui Chub were eliminated by introduced trout and Largemouth Bass (Swift et al. 1993).

References: (click for full references)

Associated Press. 2003. Officials may blow up Oregon lake to get rid of fish pests. Seattle Times. August 25, 2003.

Associated Press. 2015. Invasive tui chub found in Diamond Lake. The Washington Times. Washington, DC. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/4/invasive-tui-chub-found-in-diamond-lake/. Created on 11/04/2015. Accessed on 11/06/2015.

Burns, J.W. 1966. Tui chub. Pages 528-530 in A. Calhoun, (ed). Inland fisheries management. California Department of Fish and Game. Sacramento, California.

Freeman, M. 2003. Tui chubs won't be blasted. Mail Tribune. October 24, 2003.

Freeman, M. 2007. Diamond Lake faces threats from new invaders. Mail Tribune. May 11, 2007.

Graham, K. 2003. Diamond Lake sick with algae. OregonLive.com. July 21, 2003.

Moyle, P.B. 1976a. Inland fishes of California. University of California Press Berkeley, CA. http://books.google.com/books?id=8ZCStnV581kC&printsec=frontcover&dq=fishes+of+california&hl=en&sa=X&ei=t0dOT-P-Nsna0QH88rS7Ag&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=fishes%20of%20california&f=false.

Moyle, P.B. 1976b. Fish introductions in California: History and impact on native fishes. Biological Conservation 9:101-118.

Other Resources:

Author: Leo Nico, and Matt Neilson

Peer Review Date: 2/18/2016

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.