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Cali livebearer (Priapichthys caliensis) — Poeciliidae

Cali livebearer

Priapichthys caliensis
Family: Poeciliidae

The Cali livebearer (Priapichthys caliensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.8 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Schooling
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia

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Description

The Cali livebearer is a livebearing toothcarp (Poeciliidae) from fresh water of western Colombia. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, silvery body with a superior mouth to feed at the surface. The male fertilises the female internally with an anal fin modified into a gonopodium, after which live young are born. As a social fish it swims in schools at the surface of clear streams and pools and eats mosquito larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cali livebearer?

The Cali livebearer has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Cali livebearer live?

The Cali livebearer lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water. South America: Colombia

How big does the Cali livebearer get?

The Cali livebearer grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Cali livebearer dangerous to humans?

No, the Cali livebearer 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.

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All data

Identification

English name
Cali livebearer sourced
Scientific name
Priapichthys caliensis
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Cali toothcarp sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Schooling sourced
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

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

Same genus Priapichthys

More from the family Poeciliidae

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