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Dearborn's pupfish (Cyprinodon dearborni) — Cyprinodontidae

Dearborn's pupfish

Cyprinodon dearborni

The Dearborn's pupfish (Cyprinodon dearborni) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinodontidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
South America: Colombia, Neth Antilles, Venezuela
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Dearborn's pupfish is a small egg-laying toothcarp (Cyprinodontidae) from coastal, brackish and fresh water of northern South America and the Caribbean. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky body; males are bluish with dark bars, females greyish and spotted. It tolerates strongly varying salinity and lives in lagoons, mangroves and coastal pools, where it eats algae, small invertebrate life and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Dearborn's pupfish?

The Dearborn's pupfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly blue.

Where does the Dearborn's pupfish live?

The Dearborn's pupfish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. South America: Colombia, Neth Antilles, Venezuela

How big does the Dearborn's pupfish get?

The Dearborn's pupfish grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Dearborn's pupfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Dearborn's 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 Dearborn's pupfish edible?

Yes, the Dearborn's pupfish is commonly eaten.

More photos

Dearborn's pupfish (Cyprinodon dearborni) — Cyprinodontidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) IHUNTA, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dearborn's pupfish (Cyprinodon dearborni) — Cyprinodontidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Cole Gaerber, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dearborn's pupfish (Cyprinodon dearborni) — Cyprinodontidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) arthurlk11, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Dearborn's pupfish (Cyprinodon dearborni) — Cyprinodontidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Cole Gaerber, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Dearborn's pupfish sourced
Scientific name
Cyprinodon dearborni
Family
Cyprinodontidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Blue sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
South America: Colombia, Neth Antilles, Venezuela sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or 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 Cyprinodon

More from the family Cyprinodontidae

Fin

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