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Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae) — Amblyopsidae

Ozark cavefish

Amblyopsis rosae
Family: Amblyopsidae

The Ozark cavefish (Amblyopsis rosae) is a freshwater fish of the family Amblyopsidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Ozark cavefish is a blind cavefish (Amblyopsidae) from underground waters and caves of the Ozark Plateau in the central United States. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a pale, almost white, unpigmented body without functional eyes. With rows of sensitive sensory papillae on the head and body it detects small crustaceans, insect larvae and other small life in complete darkness. Through its very restricted range the species is threatened. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ozark cavefish?

The Ozark cavefish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly white.

Where does the Ozark cavefish live?

The Ozark cavefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Ozark cavefish get?

The Ozark cavefish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Ozark cavefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Ozark cavefish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Ozark-grottenvis sourced
English name
Ozark cavefish sourced
Scientific name
Amblyopsis rosae
Family
Amblyopsidae
Other names
Ozark cavefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.2 verified
Average length (cm)
4.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Amblyopsis

More from the family Amblyopsidae

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