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Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) — Cyprinodontidae

Devils Hole pupfish

Cyprinodon diabolis
CR · Critically Endangered

The Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Devils Hole pupfish is an extremely rare pupfish (Cyprinodontidae) found only in Devils Hole, a single groundwater-filled limestone fissure in the desert of Nevada, in the western United States. The species stays about 3 cm long and has a stocky, bluish body without pelvic fins. It lives in warm, oxygen-poor water and eats algae and small invertebrate life on a shallow rock shelf. With a wild population often of only a few hundred individuals it is one of the rarest fishes in the world and critically endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Devils Hole pupfish?

The Devils Hole pupfish has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Devils Hole pupfish live?

The Devils Hole pupfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Devils Hole pupfish get?

The Devils Hole pupfish grows to a maximum of about 3 cm. On average the species is around 2 cm.

Is the Devils Hole pupfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Devils Hole pupfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Devils Hole-tandkarper sourced
English name
Devils Hole pupfish sourced
Scientific name
Cyprinodon diabolis
Family
Cyprinodontidae
Other names
Devils Hole pupfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.4 verified
Average length (cm)
2.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

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 Cyprinodon

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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