Home · Rivulidae · Golden rivulus
Golden rivulus (Anablepsoides holmiae) — Rivulidae

Golden rivulus

Anablepsoides holmiae
Family: Rivulidae

The Golden rivulus (Anablepsoides holmiae) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The golden rivulus is a small killifish of the family Rivulidae from the Guianas in South America. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate body with a flattened back, an upturned mouth and a golden-brown to olive pattern; courting males are brighter. It inhabits quiet, shallow forest brooks, pools and swamps under canopy. Unlike the true seasonal killifishes this is not a seasonal species. As a surface hunter it feeds on insects, larvae and small invertebrates; it can even crawl briefly over moist land. The species is popular with killifish hobbyists and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden rivulus?

The Golden rivulus has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Golden rivulus live?

The Golden rivulus lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Golden rivulus get?

The Golden rivulus grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Golden rivulus dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden rivulus is harmless to humans.

Is the Golden rivulus edible?

The Golden rivulus is not usually eaten.

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
Holmia-killivis sourced
English name
Golden rivulus sourced
Scientific name
Anablepsoides holmiae
Family
Rivulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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 →