MODOC_SUCKER.JPG

This undated photo provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shows Modoc suckers, found only in desert creeks of southern Oregon and Northern California.

(The Associated Press)

Federal biologists are taking a small fish found in desert creeks of Southern Oregon and Northern California off the endangered species list.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said on Monday the Modoc sucker no longer is in danger of extinction, after 30 years of recovery efforts.

The fish was listed as endangered in 1985 due to habitat loss. Recovery efforts have focused on working with landowners to reduce overgrazing and fence livestock out of streams.

When it was first listed, the Modoc sucker could be found in seven streams covering 12.9 miles. Today, it can be found in 12 streams covering 42.5 miles.

The Modoc sucker is the second fish to be 'delisted' due to recovery -- the Oregon chub was taken off the endangered list earlier this year.

-- Kelly House

khouse@oregonian.com

503-221-8178

@Kelly_M_House