Delta smelt

E86972

The Delta smelt is a small, endangered fish species native to California’s estuarine waters, widely regarded as an indicator of the ecological health of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta.


Statements (49)
Predicate Object
instanceOf endangered species
fish species
ray-finned fish
bodyColor silvery
translucent
bodyShape slender
class Actinopterygii
commonName Delta smelt
conservationStatus Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)
Endangered (US ESA)
describedBy Carl Leavitt Hubbs
diet small crustaceans
zooplankton
endemicTo California
family Osmeridae
foundIn brackish water
freshwater
genus Hypomesus
habitat estuarine waters
indicatorOf ecological health of the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
kingdom Animalia
lifeHistory annual
lifespan about 1 year
managedBy California Department of Fish and Wildlife
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
maximumLength about 7 centimeters
nativeTo Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
San Francisco Estuary
order Osmeriformes
phylum Chordata
reproductiveStrategy semelparous
roleInEcosystem forage fish
indicator species
salinityPreference low salinity zone
scientificName Hypomesus transpacificus
spawningHabitat freshwater reaches of the upper estuary
spawningSeason late winter to spring
subjectOf Endangered Species Act protections
water management regulations in the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta
taxonRank species
threat altered freshwater flows
climate change
habitat loss
invasive species
pollution
water diversions
trophicLevel planktivore
typicalLength about 5 to 7 centimeters
yearDescribed 1925

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Delta smelt
commonName
Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta
isHabitatFor

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