In an attempt to establish a refugium for the Mojave Chub (Gila bicolor mohavensis), sixteen chubs were transplanted from the Fort Soda pond near Baker, California to a 30-square meter pond at the Desert Research Station, 26 km west of Barstow, California. This initial parent stock rapidly established a sizable population within the first year of its introduction. From February, 1981 to January, 1982 the chub population was monitored weekly. A Lincoln- Peterson Index was used to estimate the population of chubs from 4 to 11 cm in size. Two hundred fish were tagged and their lengths and weights were monitored from May, 1982 to January, 1982. The data indicated that the Mojave Chub population ranged from a high of 2516 fish during late summer to a low of 880 during late winter. Chubs gained weight in May, but from June to October lost up to 35% of their body weight. During November the fish again started to gain weight. Possible reasons for summer weight loss are reviewed.
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