Home · Cyprinodontidae · Danford's toothcarp
Danford's toothcarp (Aphanius danfordii) — Cyprinodontidae

Danford's toothcarp

Aphanius danfordii
NT · Near Threatened

The Danford's toothcarp (Aphanius danfordii) is a fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Central Anatolia (endemic)
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Danford's toothcarp is a small killifish endemic to fresh and brackish water of central Anatolia in Turkey. The species grows to about 5 cm; males have striking pale cross-bars and spots, while females are more plainly mottled. It lives in springs, streams and saline lakes and tolerates strongly varying conditions. It feeds on algae, small invertebrates and mosquito larvae. Owing to its very restricted range the species is under pressure. The IUCN assesses it as Near Threatened (NT).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Danford's toothcarp?

The Danford's toothcarp is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Tolerates saline, fluctuating waters; strong sexual difference

Where does the Danford's toothcarp live?

The Danford's toothcarp is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Central Anatolia (endemic)

How big does the Danford's toothcarp get?

The Danford's toothcarp grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Danford's toothcarp dangerous to humans?

No, the Danford's toothcarp 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 Danford's toothcarp edible?

The Danford's toothcarp is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Danford's toothcarp verified
Scientific name
Aphanius danfordii
Family
Cyprinodontidae
Other names
Danford's killifish

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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

Substrate
Sand / mud bottom verified
Natural range
Central Anatolia (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 toothcarp of saline waters; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Tolerates saline, fluctuating waters; strong sexual difference 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 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 Aphanius

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

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