Bonytail

Illustration by Kent Pendleton. Courtesy of Colorado Division of Wildlife. Colorado Outdoors, May-June, 1975.

The bonytail is found only in larger rivers of the Colorado River basin.

Historically, the bonytail was probably one of the most abundant fishes in the basin but many biologists now consider this species close to extinction in the wild.

Its elongated and streamlined body, which tapers to pencil-like thinness in front of the tail, and large fins are adaptations for life in turbulent waters.

Adults have been collected from river runs, pools, and eddies with low to moderate water velocity and rocky substrates.

Maximum length: 12-20 inches.

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