Home · Fundulidae · Killifish
Killifish (Fundulus majalis) — Fundulidae

Killifish

Fundulus majalis
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
18 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–1.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The striped killifish (Fundulus majalis) is a robust killifish of the family Fundulidae from the Atlantic coast of North America. The species has an elongate, silvery body and shows clear sexual dimorphism: females bear vertical bars, males horizontal stripes. It inhabits bays, estuaries and coastal marshes and tolerates varying salinities well. The diet consists of worms, small crustaceans, mollusks and insects. The species is not a seasonal killifish and can reach about 18 cm. It is used locally as a bait fish and, through its feeding habits, is of value in mosquito-larva control.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Killifish?

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

Where does the Killifish live?

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

How big does the Killifish get?

The Killifish grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Killifish edible?

Yes, the Killifish is commonly 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
Gestreepte killivis sourced
English name
Killifish verified
Scientific name
Fundulus majalis
Family
Fundulidae
Other names
Striped killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars 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
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
1.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly 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

Download Fin's Fish Guide

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

Get the beta →