Delta Smelt

Delta Smelt is a small, translucent fish native to the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in California. It serves as an important indicator of the ecosystem’s health, as its declining numbers reflect environmental issues like habitat loss, water pollution, and changes caused by water human management. As a native species, Delta Smelt play a key role in the local aquatic food web, feeding on tiny plankton and, in turn, being prey for larger fish. Conservation efforts focus on preserving its habitat and addressing water management practices to prevent its extinction, maintaining ecological balance in the delta region.