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California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) — Fundulidae

California killifish

Fundulus parvipinnis
Family: Fundulidae
LC · Least Concern

The California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
10.8 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) is a robust killifish of the family Fundulidae from the west coast of North America. The species has an elongate, olive to brown-green body with a paler belly and reaches about 11 cm. It is common in bays and coastal salt marshes near the shore and tolerates strongly varying salinities; it sometimes enters fresh water. The diet consists of small invertebrates. It is not a seasonal killifish. The species is hardy and is widely used in laboratory research on the environment and physiology, but is difficult to maintain in the aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the California killifish?

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

Where does the California killifish live?

The California killifish lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the California killifish get?

The California killifish grows to a maximum of about 11 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the California killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the California killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the California killifish edible?

The California killifish is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Californische killivis sourced
English name
California killifish verified
Scientific name
Fundulus parvipinnis
Family
Fundulidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.8 verified
Average length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain inferred
Tail shape
Rounded 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
Euryhaline 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
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

Same genus Fundulus

More from the family Fundulidae

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