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Brasilia pearlfish (Simpsonichthys boitonei) — Rivulidae

Brasilia pearlfish

Simpsonichthys boitonei
Family: Rivulidae

The Brasilia pearlfish (Simpsonichthys boitonei) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
5.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Brazil
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Brasilia pearlfish is a small, annual killifish (Rivulidae) from temporary pools of the cerrado plateau around Brasilia in central Brazil. The species grows to about 6 cm; males are bright blue with red spots and lyre-shaped fins, females plain brown. It lives in rain pools that dry out in the dry season: the adults die, but the eggs survive dry in the mud and hatch with the next rains. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brasilia pearlfish?

The Brasilia pearlfish has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Brasilia pearlfish live?

The Brasilia pearlfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Brazil

How big does the Brasilia pearlfish get?

The Brasilia pearlfish grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Brasilia pearlfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Brasilia pearlfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Brasilia pearlfish edible?

Yes, the Brasilia pearlfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Brasilia pearlfish (Simpsonichthys boitonei) — Rivulidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) janarve, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Brasilia pearlfish (Simpsonichthys boitonei) — Rivulidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Agência Brasília (CC BY 2.0)
Brasilia pearlfish (Simpsonichthys boitonei) — Rivulidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Agência Brasília (CC BY 2.0)
Brasilia pearlfish (Simpsonichthys boitonei) — Rivulidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Agência Brasília (CC BY 2.0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Brasilia pearlfish sourced
Scientific name
Simpsonichthys boitonei
Family
Rivulidae
Other names
Lyrefin pearlfish; Brasilia lyrefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.5 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Brazil sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Rivulidae

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