Species · GBIF taxon 2366363
Umpqua Chub
Oregonichthys kalawatsetiAlso known as Umpqua Oregon Chub
Umpqua chubs are small, secretive minnows endemic to slow-moving waters and alcoves within Oregon's Umpqua River basin. They forage along gravel or muddy substrate for tiny aquatic insects and crustaceans, relying on submerged vegetation and woody debris for cover. Spawning occurs in late spring, with males defending small territories in calm side channels.
EndemicFreshwaterRiverine
Licensed referencePonderosaPine0 / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Midge larvae
- Mayfly nymphs
- Water fleas
Predators
- Smallmouth bass
- Cutthroat trout
- Herons
ThreatsHabitat loss, stream flow modification, siltation, and non-native predators
HabitatsSlow-moving streams, side channels, backwaters, and vegetated alcoves
Life span3–5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCyprinidae
- SpeciesOregonichthys kalawatseti
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Look for a small, slender olive-tinted minnow under 7 cm with a blunt snout and faint lateral stripe in calm backwaters.
- Support conservation
- Observe from the bank or underwater without wading through delicate aquatic vegetation or disturbing gravel beds.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look in shallow, slow-moving side channels with dense aquatic vegetation during warm summer months.
- Conservation: Avoid disturbing delicate riverbanks and instream gravel bars where eggs may be deposited.
- Handling: Keep native minnows submerged and minimize handling to protect their delicate protective slime layer.
Image unavailableCo-occurring Native 
Predator USFWS Mountain Prairie / Public domain · cc0Close Relative
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