The Bureau of Reclamation has developed a field identification guide that will allow biologists and others to distinguish between early life stages of a Delta Smelt and the Wakasagi. The guide provides an improved ability to identify and distinguish the two fish species so that the Delta Smelt can be better monitored and accounted for.
The Delta Smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is a native species and is protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Wakasagi (Hypomesus nipponensis) is a non-native fish from Japan and similar to the Delta Smelt.
The report was published by the Bureau of Reclamation's Tracy Fish Facility Improvement Program, as part of the Tracy Series of peer-reviewed technical reports. The report is available on the Bureau of Reclamation's website at: http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/tech_services/tracy_research/tracyfacility/tracyreports/index.html
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
