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Hessfeld's livebearer (Brachyrhaphis hessfeldi) — Poeciliidae

Hessfeld's livebearer

Brachyrhaphis hessfeldi
Family: Poeciliidae

The Hessfeld's livebearer (Brachyrhaphis hessfeldi) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

Hessfeld's livebearer is a livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh water of Central America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, yellowish body; males often bear dark edges on the dorsal and anal fins. As a schooling fish it swims in clear streams and pools and eats small invertebrates, algae and insect larvae. The females bear live young. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Hessfeld's livebearer?

The Hessfeld's livebearer has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Hessfeld's livebearer live?

The Hessfeld's livebearer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Hessfeld's livebearer get?

The Hessfeld's livebearer grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Hessfeld's livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Hessfeld's livebearer is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Hessfelds levendbarende sourced
English name
Hessfeld's livebearer sourced
Scientific name
Brachyrhaphis hessfeldi
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Hessfeld's toothcarp sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

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 Brachyrhaphis

More from the family Poeciliidae

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