CR

Blunthead Silverside

Chirostoma melanoccus

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Chirostoma melanoccus faces severe population decline primarily due to water extraction and diversion from its native lake systems in central Mexico. Introduced exotic fish species compete directly for resources and prey upon juveniles, while agricultural runoff and urban pollution degrade water quality in the shallow lake environments this species requires. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to any environmental changes in its limited habitat.

Threat summary

Habitat

This endemic silverside fish inhabits shallow, freshwater lake systems in the central Mexican plateau, particularly favoring areas with moderate vegetation and clear water. The species is restricted to specific lake environments in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt region.

FRESHWATER· major

Other threatened species in ATHERINOPSIDAE

CR

Alberca Silverside

Chirostoma bartoni

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Membras dissimilis

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VU

Atherinella guija

Unknown
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Odontesthes mauleanum

Declining

Threatened in Mexico

EN

Turbinicarpus horripilus

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CR

Turbinicarpus mandragora

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Opuntia pachyrrhiza

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Arachnothryx tacanensis

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Blunthead Silverside classified as Critically Endangered?
Blunthead Silverside is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Chirostoma melanoccus faces severe population decline primarily due to water extraction and diversion from its native lake systems in central Mexico. Introduced exotic fish species compete directly for resources and prey upon juveniles, while agricultural runoff and urban pollution degrade water quality in the shallow lake environments this species requires. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to any environmental changes in its limited habitat.
Where does Blunthead Silverside live?
Blunthead Silverside occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Blunthead Silverside?
The main threats to Blunthead Silverside are 1.1, 2.1, 7.2, and 8.1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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