[2] The minnow lives in freshwater, spring fed streams and tributaries that have fast flowing water over particular gravel cobble substrate that are associated with aquatic macrophytes.

[5] Spring flow has also been reduced due to well pumping and overgrazed soil, which lowers the amount of water that can normally be found in natural aquifers.

The exact extent of this decline is not known, however, according to United States Geological Survey (USGS) data from the Paffords Crossing gauging station on the Devils River, the daily mean discharge has "generally decreased between 1978 and 1992.

Loricariid catfish in particular have established large populations in the Texan habitats of the Devils River Minnow and are steadily consuming most of the available food.

[10] Largemouth bass also prey on the species’ juveniles during winter months, therefore reducing the amount of reproductively mature individuals.

Fish and Wildlife Service are involved in a Conservation Agreement to assist the minnows’ recovery to the point that it is no longer a threatened species.

To assist these landowners, the Agreement sought to provide technical assistance to landowners on riparian protection and management, which has been utilized by the City of Del Rio and the San Felipe Country Club for golf course management; the course instituted a 10 to 15 foot zone of no-mowing to improve the San Felipe Creek's water quality.

The main objective of the Conservation Agreement is maintenance of spring flows, as this is the central factor in long-term population growth.

Also, a review of live bait harvest and selling practices in the Devils River area was conducted to assess restriction of introduction of other exotic species.

Furthermore, a captive, genetically representative population is being maintained for study at TPWD Heart of the Hills Research Station and to reintroduce into wild habitats.

The nearby city of Del Rio agreed to reduce water consumption by 10-20% and is limiting population density in the areas surrounding San Felipe Creek.

This range lies in the Val Verde and Kinney Counties, Texas and encompasses Devils River, San Felipe, Pinto, Sycamore, and Las Moras Creeks.