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Clear Creek gambusia (Gambusia heterochir) — Poeciliidae

Clear Creek gambusia

Gambusia heterochir
Family: Poeciliidae

The Clear Creek gambusia (Gambusia heterochir) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.4 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: USA

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Description

The Clear Creek gambusia is a mosquitofish (Poeciliidae) from shallow, often still fresh and brackish water of the springs of central Texas in the United States. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky, silver-grey body with a superior mouth. The male fertilises the female internally with an anal fin modified into a gonopodium, after which live young are born. As a surface fish it eagerly eats mosquito larvae, small invertebrates and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Clear Creek gambusia?

The Clear Creek gambusia has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Clear Creek gambusia live?

The Clear Creek gambusia lives in brackish water and is mostly found around open water. North America: USA

How big does the Clear Creek gambusia get?

The Clear Creek gambusia grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 4 cm.

Is the Clear Creek gambusia dangerous to humans?

No, the Clear Creek gambusia 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
Clear Creek gambusia sourced
Scientific name
Gambusia heterochir
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Clear Creek gambusia verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.4 verified
Average length (cm)
3.5 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Natural range
North America: USA sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
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 Gambusia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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