Considered a synonym of Gila robusta Baird & Girard, 1853
- Gilbert, Carter R.. 1998. "Type catalog of Recent and fossil North American Freshwater fishes: families Cyprinidae, Catostomidae, Ictaluridae, Centrarchidae and Elassomatidae". Florida Museum of Natural History, Special Publication No. 1. 1-284 (ffm00083)
Original description as Gila nacrea:
- Cope, Edward D. 1871. "Recent reptiles and fishes". Report on the reptiles and fishes obtained by the naturalists of the expedition. U.S. Geological Survey of Wyoming & Contiguous Territories. 4(8):432-442 (ffm00111)