Home · Fundulidae · Bluefin killifish
Bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) — Fundulidae

Bluefin killifish

Lucania goodei
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) is a freshwater fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Southeastern USA; vegetated ditches, ponds and springs.
Edibility
Not eaten

Want the complete picture on the Bluefin killifish?

Get the app

Description

The bluefin killifish is a small egg-laying toothcarp of the family Fundulidae from the south-eastern United States. The species grows to only about 6 cm; males are handsomely coloured with blue and red tints in the fins and a dark lateral stripe. It inhabits heavily vegetated ditches, ponds, lakes and the backwaters of streams, and is often common near clear springs. As a small omnivore it feeds on small invertebrates, insect larvae and algae. The bluefin killifish is popular in the aquarium for its colour and peaceful nature. Owing to its small size it is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluefin killifish?

The Bluefin killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Males with blue and red fin tints; common near clear springs.

Where does the Bluefin killifish live?

The Bluefin killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Southeastern USA; vegetated ditches, ponds and springs.

How big does the Bluefin killifish get?

The Bluefin killifish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Bluefin killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluefin killifish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Bluefin killifish edible?

The Bluefin killifish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) — Fundulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Grant Bowler, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) — Fundulidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Fishes of Texas team, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) — Fundulidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Tarragons (CC0)
Bluefin killifish (Lucania goodei) — Fundulidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) sercfisheries, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bluefin killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bluefin killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bluefin killifish verified
Scientific name
Lucania goodei
Family
Fundulidae
Other names
Bluefin killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Average length (cm)
2.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Horizontal stripes 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
Natural range
Southeastern USA; vegetated ditches, ponds and springs. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small invertebrates, insect larvae and algae sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
2.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Males with blue and red fin tints; common near clear springs. 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 Lucania

More from the family Fundulidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bluefin killifish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bluefin killifish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bluefin killifish? Get the app