[3] Historically, M. fulgida was common and locally abundant throughout the upper Gila River basin of Arizona and New Mexico.

[4] The spikedace occupies midwater habitats of runs and pools,[2] and prefers moving in water less than 1 m (3 ft) deep and in a current of 0.3–0.6 m/s (0.67–1.34 mph).

The spikedace concentrates in the downstream ends of rivers, although many have been collected in the upstream portions of shear zones less than 0.33 m (1 ft) deep.

[5] Kirk Young (AGFD Native Fish Diversity Review 1995) reported four populations in Arizona.

[5] Activities known to be detrimental to the spikedace are the removal of water from their habitats, stream impoundment, channelization, domestic livestock grazing, timber harvesting, mining, road construction, polluting, and stocking non-native species.