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Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) — Fundulidae

Gulf killifish

Fundulus grandis
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) is a robust killifish of the family Fundulidae from the Gulf of Mexico coast. The species has a stocky, elongate, olive to silvery body, often with pale spots, and reaches about 18 cm. It prefers grassy bays, canals and nearby fresh water and avoids bare tidal flats; it tolerates strongly varying salinities. The diet consists of small crustaceans and other invertebrates. It is not a seasonal killifish. The species is hardy and is widely used as live bait; in the aquarium it is difficult to maintain.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gulf killifish?

The Gulf killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Gulf killifish live?

The Gulf killifish lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Gulf killifish get?

The Gulf killifish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm. On average the species is around 10 cm.

Is the Gulf killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Gulf killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Gulf killifish edible?

The Gulf killifish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Golf-killivis sourced
English name
Gulf killifish verified
Scientific name
Fundulus grandis
Family
Fundulidae
Other names
Gulf killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Average length (cm)
10.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Superior (upward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Fundulus

More from the family Fundulidae

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