Species profile
Sacramento Splittail
Pogonichthys macrolepidotus
Identify Sacramento Splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Sacramento Splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 111 research-grade iNaturalist observations, concentrated in California.
Notable details
- Endemic to California — found nowhere else on Earth outside the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed.
- Named for its distinctly forked tail, where the upper lobe is noticeably longer than the lower.
- Spawns on seasonally flooded grasslands during high-water years, requiring intact floodplains to reproduce successfully.
- Can reach up to 18 inches in length and weigh close to 3 pounds.
- Feeds on invertebrates, plant material, and algae filtered from the turbid waters of the Delta.
Where Sacramento Splittail are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Sacramento Splittail
Background
The splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus), also called Sacramento splittail, is a cyprinid fish native to the low-elevation waters of the Central Valley in California. It was first described by William O. Ayres in 1854. It is the sole living member of its genus, the Clear Lake splittail P. ciscoides having become extinct in the 1970s.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Sacramento Splittail article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Sacramento Splittail?
Sacramento Splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus) is an IUCN Least Concern bony-fish species with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Sacramento Splittail?
Sacramento Splittail is Pogonichthys macrolepidotus.
Is Sacramento Splittail regulated for fishing?
Yes — Sacramento Splittail has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Sacramento Splittail?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Sacramento Splittail along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.