The copper redhorse (Moxostoma hubbsi), a fish species only found in Quebec, has been on a path toward extinction for many years. It has been listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2007. A dedicated recovery team, of which the Biodôme is a member, is actively involved in developing and carrying out a province-wide recovery plan for the species.
A calm-looking fish, the copper redhorse inhabits aquatic grass beds in rivers and streams where mollusks are abundant. Mollusks make up as much as 90% of its diet. The copper redhorse crushes its prey using a remarkable set of teeth (the pharyngial teeth).
An endemic species in need of protection
The copper redhorse has an extremely limited range. It is found only along a stretch of the St. Lawrence River (between Île Perrot and Lake Saint-Pierre) and in certain tributaries, including the Richelieu and Chambly rivers.
The copper redhorse has been designated a priority species for protection by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). It faces a number of threats, including contamination from industrial and agricultural runoff, habitat destruction, the decline of freshwater mollusks, invasive species, and the impacts of climate change.
A shared commitment to the survival of the copper redhorse
In January 2025, a workshop was held in collaboration with the Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles borough. Discussions focused on the potential to balance the development of recreational activities in aquatic environments with the preservation of potential habitats for the copper redhorse.
To maximize contributions to species protection efforts, the Espace pour la vie Foundation supports the conservation hub dedicated to the recovery of the copper redhorse in Montreal, under the scientific leadership of Dr. Nathalie Rose Le François, a researcher in ecophysiology and conservation aquaculture.
Collaborative projects are currently being developed with universities and various conservation organizations. These projects will focus on the following themes:
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Assessing the quality of submerged aquatic vegetation by incorporating mollusks and ecotoxicological components.
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Determining thermal tolerance thresholds and identifying innovative health indicators adapted to the copper redhorse.
To learn more about the research project:
"Biology and conservation of Moxostoma spp. occurring in Canada with emphasis on the copper redhorse, an endemic species on an extinction trajectory" in Conservation journal.