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Isthmian killi (Cynodonichthys isthmensis) — Rivulidae

Isthmian killi

Cynodonichthys isthmensis
Family: Rivulidae

The Isthmian killi (Cynodonichthys isthmensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Rivulidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Isthmian killi is a small egg-laying killifish (Rivulidae) from shallow, slow-flowing fresh water of Central America. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, elongate body; males are brown with rows of red and blue spots, females plainer. As a surface fish it lives among floating plants and leaf litter of streams and swamps and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Isthmian killi?

The Isthmian killi has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Isthmian killi live?

The Isthmian killi lives in fresh water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Isthmian killi get?

The Isthmian killi grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Isthmian killi dangerous to humans?

No, the Isthmian killi is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Isthmus-killivis sourced
English name
Isthmian killi sourced
Scientific name
Cynodonichthys isthmensis
Family
Rivulidae
Other names
Isthmian rivulus sourced

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Cynodonichthys

More from the family Rivulidae

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