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Plains killifish (Fundulus zebrinus) — Fundulidae

Plains killifish

Fundulus zebrinus
Family: Fundulidae

The Plains killifish (Fundulus zebrinus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Fundulidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The plains killifish is an egg-laying killifish (Fundulidae) from fresh and slightly brackish water of the Great Plains in the central United States. The species grows to about 8 cm and has a stocky, silver-grey body with numerous narrow, dark vertical bars, like a zebra. It tolerates strongly varying salinity and temperature and lives in sandy streams and pools. As an omnivore it eats insect larvae, small crustaceans and plant material. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Plains killifish?

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

Where does the Plains killifish live?

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

How big does the Plains killifish get?

The Plains killifish grows to a maximum of about 8 cm. On average the species is around 7 cm.

Is the Plains killifish dangerous to humans?

No, the Plains killifish is harmless to humans.

Is the Plains killifish edible?

Yes, the Plains killifish is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Prairie-killivis sourced
English name
Plains killifish sourced
Scientific name
Fundulus zebrinus
Family
Fundulidae
Other names
Plains killifish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 verified
Average length (cm)
6.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
3.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

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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