A Small Shelf in Deep Water
Devils Hole includes much deeper water, but a shallow limestone shelf of about twenty square meters provides crucial feeding and breeding habitat. The depth of the cavern should not be mistaken for the depth where all important activity occurs.
Seasonal Food
Algae and small invertebrates are principal foods. The federal account describes diatoms as especially important in winter and spring and filamentous algae during summer and fall. Even in warm spring water, the food supply can change through the year.
Size and Conservation
The federal profile reports a maximum of 1.7 inches without specifying a measurement convention. A smaller total-length reference also exists, so the figures should not be merged as if measured identically. Protecting the water level and the shallow shelf is central to conserving this geographically restricted fish.
The Shelf Is the Key Habitat
A deep cavern can still depend on a very shallow ledge. The space used for feeding and spawning matters more than total water depth alone.
All Lakes With Devils Hole Pupfish
Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Devils Hole Pupfish records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.
No published lakes are currently linked to this species in our confirmed records.