In the remote stillness of Nevada’s Death Valley National Park, a two inch long fish with puppy-like movements is now fighting for survival—again. The entire natural population of the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish has dropped to just 38 after two recent earthquakes, one in December and another in February, disrupted their fragile underwater habitat.
The extremely rare fish, found nowhere else in the world, live exclusively in Devils Hole, a narrow, geothermal pool that is connected to an unmapped underwater lake. Despite their adorable nickname and resilience, even the smallest disruption can spell disaster for these rare creatures—and the latest tremors have delivered a devastating blow.
Earthquakes Shake a Delicate Ecosystem
The first blow came on December 5, 2024, when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Mendocino, California—over 500 miles away. Despite the distance, the tremors sent shockwaves that rocked the Devils Hole geothermal pool, creating violent “sloshing waves” that damaged the shallow spawning shelf. This is the only area in which the pupfish lay their eggs and feed on algae.
A second earthquake in February 2025 worsened the situation. Since then, biologists have watched the population crash from a hopeful 25-year high of 191 fish to just 38.
“We just knew there weren’t very many left,” said Abby Wines, spokesperson for Death Valley National Park. “The scientists were extremely concerned. Each time they went to the cave, there were fewer fish near the surface.”
A Species on the Edge
Devils Hole pupfish have been monitored closely since the 1970s. According to the National Park Service (NPS), the only place you can find these fish are in a temperate underground habitat below Death Valley National Park, with a consistent water temperature of 93 degrees Fahrenheit. These fish are extremely sensitive to changes in water and habitat, which can lead to a large influx of populations of the fish throughout time.
At one point in 2013, the population dropped to just 35 individuals, and yet they bounced back over the years through tireless conservation efforts.
What makes these fish even more extraordinary is how small and isolated their natural habitat is. Devils Hole itself is only about 10 feet wide and drops into an unmapped underwater labyrinth, where the fish depend on a shallow rock shelf near the surface for spawning. That shelf, now disturbed, was essential to the rebound of the population seen just months ago.
Can the Pupfish Recover?
Scientists remain hopeful. The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are collaborating to support the population both in the wild and through a backup colony in a controlled lab setting. That fish housed at the Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility, may be the key to preserving the species if wild conditions continue to deteriorate.
Still, researchers emphasize that wild survival is critical.
“They’re doing a lot of spawning, which is exactly what we want to see,” Wines said. “Making more fish.”
Why It Matters
The story of the Devils Hole pupfish is about more than one small fish—it’s about the fragility of Earth’s biodiversity. Every species, no matter how small, plays a role in the larger ecosystem. And when a single earthquake can nearly wipe out an entire species, it’s a stark reminder of how delicate life truly is.
For now, scientists and nature lovers alike are hoping these resilient little fish can once again defy the odds—and keep swimming.
