Home · Rivulidae · Dusky rivulus
Dusky rivulus (Anablepsoides atratus) — Rivulidae

Dusky rivulus

Anablepsoides atratus
Family: Rivulidae

The Dusky rivulus (Anablepsoides atratus) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Dusky rivulus is a killifish (Rivulidae) from shallow streams, pools and swamps of the Amazon basin in South America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, cylindrical body; males are brightly coloured with spots and coloured fin margins. As a bottom-oriented fish of calm, often oxygen-poor water it snaps at insects, larvae and small invertebrates; in drought it can briefly move across moist ground. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dusky rivulus?

The Dusky rivulus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly multicoloured and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Dusky rivulus live?

The Dusky rivulus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Dusky rivulus get?

The Dusky rivulus grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Dusky rivulus dangerous to humans?

No, the Dusky rivulus is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere killivis sourced
English name
Dusky rivulus sourced
Scientific name
Anablepsoides atratus
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes 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 Anablepsoides

More from the family Rivulidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →