Surveys of the Colorado River near Grand Junction, Colorado show that populations of Colorado squawfish (Ptychocheilus lucius) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) are small and continue to decline. A potentially important factor in their decline is a reduction in the amount of available habitat. The fish are most commonly found in habitats of complex channel which may be affected by bank stabilizing activities and regulation of the river flow. Areas with channel complexity provide important habitats for the fish in both their adult and larval life stages. Adult fish apparently prefer these areas because they provide a range of habitats for feeding shelter and reproduction.
