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Cuban pupfish (Cyprinodon riverendi) — Cyprinodontidae

Cuban pupfish

Cyprinodon riverendi
NE · Not Evaluated

The Cuban pupfish (Cyprinodon riverendi) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Cuba (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Cuban pupfish is a small pupfish endemic to fresh and brackish water of Cuba. The species grows to about 7 cm; males are bluish in breeding dress, while females are more plainly mottled. It lives in clear springs, pools and coastal marshes and tolerates strongly varying salinity. It feeds on algae, small invertebrates and mosquito larvae. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cuban pupfish?

The Cuban pupfish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly blue and shows a spots pattern. Tolerates varying salinity; endemic small desert carp

Where does the Cuban pupfish live?

The Cuban pupfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Cuba (endemic)

How big does the Cuban pupfish get?

The Cuban pupfish grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Cuban pupfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Cuban pupfish 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 Cuban pupfish edible?

The Cuban pupfish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Cuban pupfish verified
Scientific name
Cyprinodon riverendi
Family
Cyprinodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue inferred
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Cuba (endemic) verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Algae, small invertebrates and midge larvae inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Endemic salt-tolerant small carp; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Tolerates varying salinity; endemic small desert carp 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
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 Cyprinodon

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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