The desert dace (Eremichthys acros) is a rare cyprinid fish known only from the warm springs and creeks of Soldier Meadow in western Humboldt County, Nevada, USA.

In contrast to many other species like the tui chub (Gila bicolor), desert dace can take advantage of thermal habitats and withstand lethal temperatures for most fish.

The desert dace species is endemic to the thermal spring system of Soldier Meadows, in western Humboldt County, Nevada.

[8] Desert dace populations are highest in the lower cool areas of the spring, where water temperatures range from 21°C to 24°C, thus creating optimal spawning conditions.

[8] Water diversion for agriculture, recreational use of springs, and overgrazing by livestock and wild horses have contributed to habitat destruction in Soldier Meadows.

Fish and Wildlife Service developed critical habitat areas for the species' conservation, including the Soldier Meadows thermal spring system, which was set up as a recovery measure.

[8][11] In 2015, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and federal partners fenced springheads in Fly Canyon to reduce the impacts of feral horses and burros on the habitat.

[11] Further, in August 2021, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) carried out temporary works to recontour road crossings that created pools of water in the dace's habitat and threatened to strand the fish.

Fish and Wildlife Service began working on the five-year status review for the desert dace and noted the importance of further conservation of the species, which continues to be at risk from habitat alteration and climate change.

[10] This review brought attention to issues like habitat alteration, exotic species and climate change that remain a threat to the long-term existence of the desert dace.

[9] The main anthropogenic pressures faced by the desert dace are described, such as water withdrawal for irrigation purposes, which brings about habitat changes, activities related to aquaculture that disturb thermal spring systems, and even introduced invasive species.