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Cuban Killifish (Cubanichthys cubensis) — Cyprinodontidae

Cuban Killifish

Cubanichthys cubensis
LC · Least Concern

The Cuban Killifish (Cubanichthys cubensis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Endemic to Cuba; calm fresh and slightly brackish waters.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Cuban killifish is a small egg-laying toothcarp (Cyprinodontidae) endemic to Cuba. The species grows to a few centimetres and has a slender body with shiny lengthwise lines and a blue-green sheen on the flanks. It inhabits calm fresh and slightly brackish waters, such as pools, brooks and swamps. It is not a seasonal killifish. As an omnivore it feeds on small zooplankton, insect larvae, algae and detritus. It is easy to keep in the aquarium and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuban Killifish?

The Cuban Killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a horizontal stripes pattern. Endemic little killifish from Cuba with a blue-green sheen; not a seasonal killifish.

Where does the Cuban Killifish live?

The Cuban Killifish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Endemic to Cuba; calm fresh and slightly brackish waters.

How big does the Cuban Killifish get?

The Cuban Killifish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Cuban Killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuban Killifish is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Cuban Killifish edible?

The Cuban Killifish is not usually eaten.

More photos

Cuban Killifish (Cubanichthys cubensis) — Cyprinodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Dayron Breto, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Cuban Killifish (Cubanichthys cubensis) — Cyprinodontidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Carl H. Eigenmann (Public domain)
Cuban Killifish (Cubanichthys cubensis) — Cyprinodontidae — 4
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Cuban Killifish verified
Scientific name
Cubanichthys cubensis
Family
Cyprinodontidae
Other names
Cuban killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Endemic to Cuba; calm fresh and slightly brackish waters. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small zooplankton, insect larvae, algae and detritus sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Endemic little killifish from Cuba with a blue-green sheen; not a seasonal killifish. 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 Cubanichthys

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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