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Blackbarred limia (Limia nigrofasciata) — Poeciliidae

Blackbarred limia

Limia nigrofasciata
Family: Poeciliidae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Blackbarred limia (Limia nigrofasciata) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.2 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Hispaniola; lakes and pools.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The humpbacked limia is a small livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) endemic to Hispaniola in the Caribbean. The species stays small; older males develop a conspicuously high, humped back. The body is yellowish with narrow dark crossbars. It usually lives in large schools over various bottom types; juveniles hide in vegetation. As an omnivore it grazes algae and detritus and snaps up small invertebrates. Owing to a very limited range it is considered critically endangered. The females bear live young.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackbarred limia?

The Blackbarred limia has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly yellow-gold and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Older males with a high, humped back; ovoviviparous, critically endangered by its limited range.

Where does the Blackbarred limia live?

The Blackbarred limia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Hispaniola; lakes and pools.

How big does the Blackbarred limia get?

The Blackbarred limia grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Blackbarred limia dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackbarred limia is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackbarred limia edible?

The Blackbarred limia is not usually eaten.

More photos

Blackbarred limia (Limia nigrofasciata) — Poeciliidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Patricia Torres Pineda, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackbarred limia (Limia nigrofasciata) — Poeciliidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Martin Reith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blackbarred limia (Limia nigrofasciata) — Poeciliidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Janet Cremetti (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Blackbarred limia (Limia nigrofasciata) — Poeciliidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — The original uploader was Mariejanelle at French Wikipedia. (CC BY-SA 2.5)
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All data

Identification

English name
Blackbarred limia verified
Scientific name
Limia nigrofasciata
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Humpbacked limia; Humpedbacked Limia verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.2 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Hispaniola; lakes and pools. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, detritus and small invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Large 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
Older males with a high, humped back; ovoviviparous, critically endangered by its limited range. 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 Limia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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