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Bahama gambusia (Gambusia manni) — Poeciliidae

Bahama gambusia

Gambusia manni
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bahama gambusia (Gambusia manni) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
6.5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Bahamas; lakes, ditches and mangrove areas connected to the sea.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Bahamas mosquitofish is a small livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from the Bahamas. The species is small and pale; females are larger than males. It inhabits lakes, drainage ditches and mangrove areas, all with connections to the sea. At and near the surface it feeds on mosquito larvae, small zooplankton and small invertebrates. The females bear live young. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bahama gambusia?

The Bahama gambusia has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small ovoviviparous fish of the Bahamas; eats midge larvae, females larger than males.

Where does the Bahama gambusia live?

The Bahama gambusia lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Bahamas; lakes, ditches and mangrove areas connected to the sea.

How big does the Bahama gambusia get?

The Bahama gambusia grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Bahama gambusia dangerous to humans?

No, the Bahama gambusia is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bahama gambusia edible?

The Bahama gambusia is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Bahama gambusia verified
Scientific name
Gambusia manni
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Bahamas mosquitofish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Plain 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Bahamas; lakes, ditches and mangrove areas connected to the sea. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Midge larvae, small zooplankton and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Small ovoviviparous fish of the Bahamas; eats midge larvae, females larger than males. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Gambusia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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