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Blackfin gambusia (Gambusia atrora) — Poeciliidae

Blackfin gambusia

Gambusia atrora
Family: Poeciliidae
DD · Data Deficient

The Blackfin gambusia (Gambusia atrora) is a freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

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

Description

The dark mosquitofish is a small livebearer of the family Poeciliidae from Mexico. The species is small; like all Gambusia species the female bears live young and the male has an anal fin modified into a gonopodium for internal fertilisation. It prefers the current along steep banks and seeks food in stony crevices. As an omnivore it eats insects and their larvae, small zooplankton and algae. Owing to its restricted range and lack of data the species is regarded as data deficient. It is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackfin gambusia?

The Blackfin gambusia has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Blackfin gambusia live?

The Blackfin gambusia lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blackfin gambusia get?

The Blackfin gambusia grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Blackfin gambusia dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackfin gambusia is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackfin gambusia edible?

The Blackfin gambusia is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Donkere muskietvis sourced
English name
Blackfin gambusia verified
Scientific name
Gambusia atrora
Family
Poeciliidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey 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
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

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

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 Gambusia

More from the family Poeciliidae

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