General Information

Habitat Requirements

Speckled dace occupy a wide variety of habitats ranging from cold streams and rivers with rocky substrates to small thermal springs with silt substrates. Independence Valley speckled dace are found in a temperate, permanent desert stream/marsh fed by numerous springs. Although known as Independence Valley Warm Springs, these springs are not cited as thermal waters (Garside and Schilling 1979, Hose and Taylor 1974).

Food Habits

Independence Valley speckled dace food habits have not been studied, however based on their habitat they are most likely diurnal (active during the daytime), bottom browsers (similar to other speckled dace species) that feed primarily on small invertebrates (such as aquatic insects), plant material, and zooplankton.

Movement / Home Range

This subspecies is only found in the marsh of the largest spring system in the valley, known as Independence Valley Warm Springs.

Reproductive Strategy

Reproductive patterns of Independence Valley speckled dace subspecies have not been examined. Speckled dace mature in their second summer and usually have peak activity in June and July at water temperatures of 18 degrees Celsius (65 degrees Fahrenheit) (Sigler and Sigler 1979, Moyle 1976). Males congregate in spawning areas from which they remove debris to 18 expose a bare patch of rock or gravel. The female is surrounded by males when entering a spawning area. Eggs are deposited underneath rocks, into spaces in the gravel, or close to the bottom and fertilized (Sigler and Sigler 1979, Moyle 1976). Eggs hatch in 6 days on average, and the larval fish, or fry, remain in the gravel for 7 to 8 days. After emerging from the gravel, the fry tend to concentrate in the warm shallows of streams.