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Carlsbad Caverns National ParkLake Chandelier in Lechuguilla Cave.
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Fish
Roundnose minnows (Dionda episcopa) in the pond at Rattlesnake Springs.
NPS Photo by Kristin Dorman-Johnson
Roundnose minnows (Dionda episcopa) in the pond at Rattlesnake Springs.
 

Five species of fish have been found at Rattlesnake Springs. Two of these species are native—roundnose minnow and greenthroat darter. The other three species are non-native fish and they include green sunfish, largemouth bass, and western mosquitofish. In the summer of 2007, a project was completed to remove the non-native green sunfish and largemouth bass from the pond. These fish were relocated to an appropriate location on the Pecos River, where they are native. The western mosquitofish have only been found in the natural channel and these fish are removed when found.

Permian ocean bottom.  

Did You Know?
The limestone rock that holds Carlsbad Cavern is full of ocean fossil plants and animals from a time before the dinosaurs when the southeastern corner of New Mexico was a coastline similar to the Florida Keys.

Last Updated: October 23, 2007 at 12:42 EST