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Northern plains killifish (Fundulus kansae) — Fundulidae

Northern plains killifish

Fundulus kansae
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Northern plains killifish (Fundulus kansae) is a freshwater fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–? m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The northern plains killifish is a small killifish from fresh and slightly saline water of the Great Plains in the central United States. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a stocky, silver-grey body with narrow dark cross-bars. It is remarkably salt-tolerant and lives in rivers, streams and saline pools, often in harsh, turbid waters. It feeds on insect larvae, small zooplankton and detritus. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Northern plains killifish?

The Northern plains killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Northern plains killifish live?

The Northern plains killifish lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Northern plains killifish get?

The Northern plains killifish grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Northern plains killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Northern plains killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Northern plains killifish edible?

The Northern plains killifish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Noordelijke vlakte-killivis verified
English name
Northern plains killifish verified
Scientific name
Fundulus kansae
Family
Fundulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
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

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

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

Same genus Fundulus

More from the family Fundulidae

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