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Stripped gambusia (Gambusia sexradiata) — Poeciliidae

Stripped gambusia

Gambusia sexradiata
Family: Poeciliidae
LC · Least Concern

The Stripped gambusia (Gambusia sexradiata) is a brackish-water fish of the family Poeciliidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.6 cm
Water
Brackish
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

Gambusia sexradiata is a very small livebearing freshwater fish of the family Poeciliidae from Central America. The species reaches only a few centimetres and has a stocky, streamlined body with a conspicuous teardrop mark below the eye. It lives near the shore of ponds and rivers with vegetation and feeds mainly on benthic invertebrates among water plants and on terrestrial organisms that fall onto the water. Like other mosquitofish the species reproduces by internal fertilisation and bears live young; the male has an anal fin modified into a copulatory organ (gonopodium).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Stripped gambusia?

The Stripped gambusia has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Stripped gambusia live?

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

How big does the Stripped gambusia get?

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

Is the Stripped gambusia dangerous to humans?

No, the Stripped gambusia is harmless to humans.

Is the Stripped gambusia edible?

The Stripped gambusia is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Traanvlek-muskietvis sourced
English name
Stripped gambusia verified
Scientific name
Gambusia sexradiata
Family
Poeciliidae
Other names
Teardrop mosquito verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.6 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore 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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