Home · Fundulidae · Spotfin killifish
Spotfin killifish (Fundulus luciae) — Fundulidae

Spotfin killifish

Fundulus luciae
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The Spotfin killifish (Fundulus luciae) is a brackish-water fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The spotfin killifish is a small killifish from brackish coastal and marsh water on the east coast of the United States. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky, olive-brown body; males have a conspicuous dark spot on the dorsal fin. It lives in shallow tidal pools and marsh creeks among cordgrass and tolerates strongly varying conditions. It feeds on small crustaceans, insect larvae and algae. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spotfin killifish?

The Spotfin killifish has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Spotfin killifish live?

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

How big does the Spotfin killifish get?

The Spotfin killifish grows to a maximum of about 5 cm. On average the species is around 3 cm.

Is the Spotfin killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Spotfin killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Spotfin killifish edible?

The Spotfin killifish is not usually eaten.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Vlekvin-killivis verified
English name
Spotfin killifish verified
Scientific name
Fundulus luciae
Family
Fundulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.0 verified
Average length (cm)
2.8 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
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
Yes 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →