The tropical fish fauna in Cave and Basin Hotsprings drainage, Banff National Park, Alberta.

Abstract

A collection made in May 1981 indicated that there has been a change in the species present since 1968. A review of past collections and a description of the present introduced tropical fish fauna, mosquitofish Gambusia affinis, sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna and jewelfish Hemichromis bimaculatus is presented. The first 2 poecilliid species are well established and occur in places in dense numbers, the last cichlid species is relatively rare (at least in May). The highest temperature recorded where fish were found was 30oC in Basin Spring. Two native species found with the tropical fishes were longnose dace Rhinichthys cataractae, most common in the outlet of one small cave at 24oC, and brook stickleback Culaea inconstans in quiet shoreline waters with aquatic plants in temperatures up to 21oC.-from Author