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Spring cavefish (Forbesichthys agassizii) — Amblyopsidae

Spring cavefish

Forbesichthys agassizii
Family: Amblyopsidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spring cavefish (Forbesichthys agassizii) is a freshwater fish of the family Amblyopsidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Freshwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spring cavefish is a small, cave-associated fish from the southeastern United States, in springs, cave waters and swampy streams. The species grows to about 9 cm and has an elongate, pale body with strongly reduced eyes, an adaptation to dark underground life. By day it hides; at night it emerges to hunt small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spring cavefish?

The Spring cavefish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly white and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Spring cavefish live?

The Spring cavefish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Spring cavefish get?

The Spring cavefish grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Spring cavefish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spring cavefish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spring cavefish edible?

The Spring cavefish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bron-grotvis verified
English name
Spring cavefish verified
Scientific name
Forbesichthys agassizii
Family
Amblyopsidae
Other names
Spring cavefish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Average length (cm)
5.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
White inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

More from the family Amblyopsidae

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